Feeding Maine exhibit, events growing access to good food in L-A

LEWISTON – The Good Food Council of Lewiston-Auburn will host an opening event — ‘Feeding Maine: Growing Access to Good Food’ — a photo exhibit by photographer Brendan Bullock with words by writer Annie Murphy, from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19.
The event and exhibit will be located at the Atrium Gallery at the University of Southern Maine, Lewiston-Auburn College, 51 Westminster St. The opening event is an invitation to stop in and view the exhibit, participate in the interactive art wall, and enjoy light refreshments prepared by St. Mary’s Nutrition Center’s Youth-Powered Cooking.

“Feeding Maine” documents some of the many people working to address the persistent problem of hunger in communities across the State. The exhibit was created in a collaboration between Good Shepherd Food Bank and Maine Farmland Trust, a statewide organization protecting farmland, supporting farmers and advancing farming. This marks the first time the exhibit will be displayed in Lewiston-Auburn. The exhibit will feature an interactive art wall — where community members will be invited to leave their thoughts, art or photos relating to their experiences — with reactions to the issues of hunger and food insecurity in Lewiston-Auburn. The exhibit will be on view at USM LAC from Jan. 16 to Feb. 23.

A closing event — “Creating a Path to Feeding L-A” — is planned for Feb. 16, from 5 to 8 p.m. The event will feature light refreshments and music from Greg and Jessie Boardman. Brief remarks will be made from the GFCLA and Michael Hillard, the director of University of Southern Maine’s new food studies program. The exhibit and both events are free and open to the public. Additional information can be accessed at the GFCLA’s website, www.goodfood4la.org.

The Food Council was formed in the summer of 2012 to create and support improvements to the food system of the Lewiston-Auburn community. It does this by fostering coordination between sectors in the food system, educating the public and serving as a forum for discussing issues, evaluating and influencing policy, and supporting programs meeting local food needs.