LEWISTON/AUBURN – On Jan. 8, five newly elected council members were welcomed to into the Good Food Council of Lewiston-Auburn.

The council was created in the summer of 2012 to support improvements to the food system of the L-A community and is guided in their work by a Community Food Assessment, an in-depth research project and extensive report focused on the local food system. The role of the council is to educate the public and serve as forum for discussing issues, to foster coordination between sectors, to evaluate and influence policy and to support programs that meet local needs.

The 20-member group is made up of representatives from a variety of businesses, agencies and sectors, and many walks of life.

The council welcomes Rick Belanger, owner of R. Belanger Sons Farms, Inc. of Lewiston; Melissa Emerson, owner and director of Pinetree Seeds in New Gloucester; Bonnie Lounsbury, owner of River Rise Farm in Turner; Nadifa Mohamed, a full-time University of Southern Maine student; and Alisa Roman, the director of nutrition for Lewiston Public Schools.

For more information on the CFA, the council and its work, visit www.goodfood4la.org or contact Julia Harper, the council coordinator, at [email protected] or 207-346-0538.