Visions for a Thriving Resilient Food System for Lewiston Auburn

Across the country, major changes at the federal level are making it harder for families and communities to access food. Funding has been cut for programs that helped schools and food banks buy from local farmers. A large federal bill recently passed that will reduce support for SNAP, making it more difficult for many people, especially seniors and working families, to get the food they need. These changes are putting more pressure on local communities to fill in the gaps, including right here in Lewiston-Auburn.

Even as federal support frays, we are nurturing seeds of hope. In Lewiston‑Auburn, the Local Foods Action Plan (LFAP) offers both vision and action as well as a critical way for those involved in the local food system to connect, coordinate, and offer mutual support.  LFAP LA is built for moments like this. While federal support is shrinking, our commitment is only growing stronger. These cuts are not a reason to slow down—they’re fuel to our fire. A multi-year roadmap to strengthen our local food system and local economy, LFAP LA focuses on four main goals and a range of fifteen actions. This plan brings together schools, farmers, nonprofits, and neighbors around a shared vision: a resilient, community-powered food system that doesn’t depend solely on national policy. By investing in local infrastructure, deepening partnerships, and uplifting community voices, we can keep healthy, local food flowing—no matter what’s happening in Washington.

Let our national challenges fuel local purpose. You can help by:

• Shopping at the Lewiston Farmers Market 
• Volunteering with Gather to Grow or the Root Cellar
• Contacting Maine legislators in support of state-level SNAP and school food funding.
• Sharing your own stories of resilience—whether you’re a farmer, pantry worker, or community advocate. We want to hear your stories!