This past weekend, ten teams competed to win the first ever Maine Farm, Fish, and Food Innovation Challenge. What’s an “Innovation Challenge”? Think Top Chef for startup businesses aimed at expanding the sustainable distribution, processing, marketing, and aggregation of Maine foods. Thirty-six participants representing 10 teams participated in the weekend event at Bowdoin College. Over…
Nov 25
2015
2015
Sep 29
2015
2015
Legal Services Food Hub Celebrates First Year Helping Farmers and Food Businesses Thrive
It’s been just over a year since CLF’s Legal Services Food Hub launched, matching farmers, food entrepreneurs, and the organizations that support them with pro bono legal services. We are pleased to share our Annual Report highlighting the accomplishments of the Legal Services Food Hub over the last year. It has been an incredibly…
Jul 30
2015
2015
CLF Celebrates Opening of Historic Boston Public Market
“The Boston Public Market is a true reflection of our community coming together to enrich the local economy and provide healthy, fresh food for Boston residents,” said Jenny Rushlow, Director of Conservation Law Foundation’s Farm & Food Initiative. “Local farmers and food businesses are at the heart of a thriving New England. CLF was thrilled to join so many passionate advocates in making this first-of-its-kind market a reality, and we look forward to seeing this success replicated throughout the region.”
Jul 30
2015
2015
Celebrating the Opening of Boston Public Market
This first-of-its-kind, all locally sourced market was brought about with the help of CLF’s Legal Services Food Hub The grand opening of the Boston Public Market today included beautiful displays of plump summer fruits and glistening freshly caught seafood, but that’s not what caught my eye. My focus was drawn to the various stall arrangements for…
May 26
2015
2015
Farmers and Lawyers: A Match Made in Maine
Noah Fralich moved back home to Maine with one ambition: to open a business on his family’s land in New Gloucester. His fledgling cidery business was just getting off the ground when he hit a snag – the name of his business was already trademarked by someone else. Now, in the midst of trying to grow…
May 18
2015
2015
Conservation Law Foundation Launches Pro Bono Legal Service for Maine Farmers and Food Entrepreneuers
Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) launched the Maine Legal Services Food Hub today at a networking breakfast with local government leaders, attorneys, farmers, and food entrepreneurs. Recognizing the role of farmers and food businesses in the economic and environmental health of Maine communities, the Legal Services Food Hub is the first of its kind network that connects smaller-scale farmers, food businesses, and food-related organizations with pro bono legal services to help start, grow, and operate their businesses. CLF launched the first Legal Services Food Hub in Massachusetts last year.
Feb 10
2015
2015
Postponed: Worcester, MA, Info Session: New Legal Services Food Hub for Farmers, Food Entrepreneurs, and Lawyers
POSTPONED We’ve postponed tonight’s info session to a later date so we can all dig out from this latest snowstorm. Please stay tuned for the new date. Please join us on February 10th from 6–8PM for a Legal Services Food Hub Info Session in Worcester, Massachusetts. You’ll learn how this new project is connecting farmers…
Jan 23
2015
2015
Postponed: Springfield, MA Info Session: New Legal Services Food Hub for Farmers, Food Entrepreneurs, and Lawyers
POSTPONED We’ve postponed tonight’s info session to a later date so we can all dig out from Juno. Please stay tuned for the new date. Please join us on January 28th from 6–8PM for a Legal Services Food Hub Info Session in Springfield, Massachusetts. You’ll learn how this new project is connecting farmers and food…
Jan 15
2015
2015
CLF’s 5 for 2015: Resolutions for a Healthy, Thriving New England
2014 was a banner year for CLF and for conservation in New England – a year of landmark breakthroughs (getting gas right in Salem); hard-won victories (shutting down dirty coal in Massachusetts); deep dives (defending New England’s ocean habitat); legal wrangles (clamping down on Cape Cod coastal pollution); and good eats (helping local farmers and…
Dec 4
2014
2014
Do You Love Locally Grown Food? The Food Safety Modernization Act Still Spells Trouble for Family Farms
If you eat fresh, local food and support the farms that grow it, then tell the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to protect local farms and sustainable agriculture in New England. We only have until December 15 to comment on FDA’s revised food safety rules under the Food Safety Modernization Act. Last year, CLF…