Even as we mourn the lives lost to COVID-19 and absorb the heavy toll it has taken on our economy, we must recognize that the old “normal” left too many communities unhealthy and especially vulnerable to the pandemic. Replicating that old “normal” will squander an opportunity to reduce climate danger while building healthier and more just communities for all.
May 14
2020
2020
Nov 13
2017
2017
The Promise and Potential of Urban Agriculture
When combined with traditional local agriculture, urban agriculture provides a unique opportunity to build and strengthen a robust local food system. This is especially true here in New England, where interest in local food is booming, but easy and affordable access to it is still limited, especially for low-income urban residents.
Jun 9
2017
2017
Rhode Island Takes Action to Create a Food System for the People, the Environment, and the Economy
Rhode Island just took a historic step this past month with the launching of the state’s first comprehensive food strategy, a plan to grow and sustain markets for locally grown food for the good of communities, the environment, and the economy.
Dec 28
2016
2016
The Legal Food Hub
Local Food, Local Farms, and Lawyers Lending a Hand Noah Fralich moved back home to Maine with one ambition: to open a business on his family’s land in New Gloucester. His fledgling Norumbega Cidery was just getting off the ground when he hit a snag – the name of his business was already trademarked by…
Sep 2
2016
2016
Calling All Rhode Island Attorneys: We Want You!
On the heels of a successful two years running in Massachusetts and Maine, CLF’s Legal Food Hub is coming to Rhode Island, and we are looking for attorneys and firms to join our network. The Hub connects lower-income farmers and food businesses to much-needed pro bono, transactional legal assistance and is a great way for…
May 14
2016
2016
CLF’s Hub Helps Improve New England Farms’ Uncertain Future
In late April, CLF partners American Farmland Trust (AFT) and Land For Good (LFG) released a joint study on farm succession in New England. The study reveals that our region’s farmers are aging fast – as of 2012, 85% of principal farm operators were over the age of 45, up from 76% in 2002. In…
Feb 18
2016
2016
CLF’s Legal Services Food Hub Crosses 100-Case Mark, Leverages More Than Half Million in Legal Assistance
CLF launched its Legal Services Food Hub with one goal in mind: keeping New England’s food producers in business. A year and a half into this new program, we are delighted to announce that the Hub has crossed a major threshold in its mission to achieve this goal: we placed our 100th case and crossed…
Nov 25
2015
2015
Local Food Innovation: A Win for Maine
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…
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…
Sep 4
2015
2015
Bee Grateful! Massachusetts Legislature Focuses on Honey Bee Health
Honey bees play a critical role in agricultural production. One in every three bites of food we eat depends on a crop that is pollinated by honey bees! As a reminder, pollination is what happens when a pollinator (often a honey bee) visits a flower and transfers pollen from the male parts to the female…