LEWISTON — More than 50 people from around the state — wholesale food purchasers, food producers, and interested community members — gathered for an inaugural social event called Central Maine Meet the Buyers, held Nov. 4 at the Franco Center in Lewiston. The event was designed to increase farm-to-institution activity and was hosted by The Good Food Council of Lewiston-Auburn

Participants had an opportunity to introduce their businesses and share personal reflections of either barriers encountered or solutions found to successful local food wholesale selling and purchasing. Local farm-to-institution experts also presented on resources available, such as new grant-funded assistance for GAP certification for Maine farmers. There was also time for networking and enjoying a locally-sourced meal. After the event, contact information for those in attendance was emailed to the group.

For more information about the Good Food Council of Lewiston-Auburn, visit www.goodfood4la.org, or contact Council coordinator Julia Harper at 207-346-0538.