The Land that Feeds Us

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09/29/2026

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lydia@btlt.org

When you think about food insecurity, you might picture an empty pantry shelf or a family stretching a grocery budget to make ends meet. But food access is connected to so much more, like the cost of groceries, the health of our farms and soils, the land available to grow food, and the programs that help people afford fresh, healthy meals.

September is Hunger Action Month, a time to recognize food insecurity in our communities and consider how we can all help make sure our neighbors have enough to eat.

In Maine, more than 14% of people experienced food insecurity in 2024, meaning they had limited or uncertain access to enough food. For children, that number was even higher (more than 20%). At the same time, farmers across Maine are navigating challenges including drought and changing growing conditions. These challenges can feel overwhelming, but they also remind us how deeply connected our food system is and how many people are working to make it stronger.

Right here in the greater Brunswick area, local farmers, food access organizations, and community members are finding creative ways to get fresh, local food to people who need it.

Food pantries aren’t just stocked with canned goods anymore. Local farms are an increasingly important part of the emergency food system. Farmers donate or sell produce to food access organizations, gleaning programs make sure surplus crops don’t go to waste, and some farms grow food specifically for donation.

There are many ways this happens: farmers provide seedlings so people can grow food at home; food banks purchase fresh produce directly from local farms; volunteers glean fields after harvest to make sure good food reaches someone’s table; and schools and community programs work with farmers to bring local food to children.

Our local farmers markets also play an important role. Programs such as SNAP and Maine Senior FarmShare help make fresh, locally grown food more affordable for shoppers with limited food budgets.

Supporting a vibrant local food system is core to BTLT’s mission. At BTLT’s Common Good Garden, volunteers grow fresh vegetables specifically for donation to local food access organizations. At area Farmers Markets, including BTLT’s, food access programs help more people shop for locally grown food. And through our conservation work, we protect agricultural land so that it can continue producing food for our community for generations to come.

Did you know conserved landscapes can support food security in other ways, too? Protecting forests, fields, and other natural areas helps maintain a diverse landscape that supports hunting and other forms of local food production. For some Maine families, hunting remains an important source of food. Programs such as Hunters for the Hungry Program help connect donated wild game with food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters.

Food security isn’t just about what’s on the shelves at the grocery store. It’s also about whether we have the land, farms, farmers, community programs, and resources we need to grow and share food locally.

Maybe you’ve experienced food insecurity yourself, or have a friend, neighbor, co-worker, or family member who has. Maybe you want to help end childhood hunger. Or maybe you simply believe that everyone in our community deserves access to fresh, healthy food.

Whatever brings you to this work, there’s a place for you to help.

Volunteer with Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program by helping sort food, prepare meals, support the food pantry, or participate in other food access efforts.
Get your hands in the soil. Volunteer at Growing to Give, an organic farm that grows food for local food pantries, or at BTLT’s Common Good Garden.
Support food access at the Farmers Market. Shop locally when you can, and learn more about programs that help make farmers market food accessible to more people.
Advocate for policies that address hunger. Organizations such as Full Plates Full Potential work to ensure Maine children and families have access to the food they need.
Give what you can. Food pantries and food access organizations can put financial donations to work where they’re needed most, and many also welcome donations of specific food items.

Hunger Action Month is a reminder that none of us has to solve food insecurity alone. Farmers, volunteers, food pantries, land trusts, schools, shoppers, advocates, and neighbors all have a role to play. When we protect the land that grows our food, support the people who grow it, and make sure that food reaches the people who need it, we build a stronger food system and a stronger community!