New England Food System Innovation Challenge
The New England Food System Innovation Challenge took place earlier this month at St. Joseph’s College in Standish with ten teams participating from Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. BTLT has been a supporter since the start 4 years ago and was represented by Tom Settlemire, BTLT board member and past president, who is co-chair of the event.
This weekend full of ideas and energy fits with BTLT’s efforts to support Maine agriculture and reduce food insecurity. The three-day event is designed as a workshop-contest for college teams and members of the public who have ideas about new products, processes, or programs that would in some way bring more local food to market, strengthen our food economy, or help reduce food insecurity. The workshops bring lawyers, market specialists, grocery store owners, and more to hear proposals and give advice or suggestions to each presenter.
Congratulations to the winners:
Enterprise Teams
Dirigo Food Safety – $5,000
Haul, Inc – $2,500
Pasture Pops – 6 Hours of Legal Services from BCM Environmental & Land Law and 3 month membership in Fork Food Lab.
Eve & Mathieu Oat Milk – 6 Hours of Brand & Marketing consulting from Garrand Moehlenkamp and 3 month membership in Fork Food Lab.
Fresh Start Food Gardens – 6 Hours of Business Development Consulting from The Sustainability Lab
College Teams
Unity College – $2,000
College of the Atlantic – $500
University of Southern Maine – 6 Hours of Business Development Consulting from The Sustainability Lab
open to enterprise and college teams with idea stage and very early stage enterprises that would improve the production, aggregation, distribution and processing of locally produced food and harvested seafood.
For a recent article on the New England Food System Innovation Challenge by the Press Herald, click here!
