Spectrum Generations has partnered with Healthy Communities of the Capital Area in a two-year Department of Agriculture Farm to School grant to facilitate purchasing, distribution and processing of local foods in school meals.

The grant was awarded to Healthy Communities Capital Area to assist the Kennebec County Sherriff’s Office with their Kennebec’s Restorative Community Harvest, formerly known at the Inmate Garden Project. Spectrum Generations processes fresh and raw produce items donated from the gardens to make them more readily usable and available for a nominal fee to local schools that either do not have storage or cooking capacities to accept bulk fresh produce items. Thus far, Spectrum Generations has processed hundreds of pounds of tomatoes and broccoli and will move on to potatoes and squash. The gardens, located throughout Kennebec County and beyond, have provided tons of produce for those in need, with a goal of more than 50,000 pounds this year.

Additional Images

Dave Morin from Maranacook Schools picking up tomatoes grown by the Kennebec County Sherriff’s Department and washed, cored, cut, bagged and frozen by Spectrum Generations to go to local area schools. Contributed photos

A load of butternut squash delivered to Spectrum Generations will be processed for use in area school lunch programs.

This project is part of HCCA’s plan to increase access to local foods as a public health strategy and as an economic development initiative. Renee Page, the agency’s assistant director, is leading the project in collaboration with School Administrative District 11, Regional School Unit 38, Kennebec Local Food Initiative and the Maranacook Farmers Market. A partnership has also begun with Regional School Unit 2, with anticipated expansion into other school districts in 2015, according to a news release.

For more information about bulk produce processing, call Chris Teague at 620-1653 or email cteague@spectrumgenerations.org.

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