In a state that produces and sells a great deal of good food, one might not expect the significant level of food insecurity experienced in Maine.  To raise awareness and help address this challenge in ways that are beneficial to both residents and the environment we live in, an informational series will be offered, beginning Tuesday, September 30, to coincide with Maine’s Food Waste Awareness Week and the United Nation’s International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste. 

The four-part series is hosted by Nativity Lutheran Church, Rockport, in partnership with the Camden Public Library for the first event.  The details of each upcoming presentation are as follows:

September 30 (Tuesday), 3 to 4:30 p.m., at Camden Public Library Picker Room:  Susanne Lee, University of Maine faculty fellow, Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions, will share the importance of reducing wasted food and talk about Food Rescue Maine and statewide efforts involving businesses, institutions and households.  

October 14 (Tuesday) 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Nativity Lutheran Church, 179 Old County Road, Rockport:  Scrap Dogs co-owner Tessa Rosenberry, Kristie Kosalski of Come Spring food pantry/Gleaners, and student representatives from the Camden Hills High School Windplanners sustainability group will share their efforts to capture uneaten food and deliver it to peoples’ tables and to farmers for compost.

October 28 (Tuesday) noon to 2 p.m., at Nativity Lutheran Church:  Chef/owner Melody Wolfertz of In Good Company restaurant and Rockland Hannaford manager Kristin White will share how food vendors can practice sustainability for the good of the environment, their patrons and their businesses.  

November 8 (Saturday) 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Nativity Lutheran Church:  Focusing on household solutions, retired SNAP Nutrition Educator/former owner of Amalfi restaurant, Nancy Wood, and Cindy Wright of the Knox-Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District will share ways to cook and store food and tips for composting scraps year round to avoid wasted food in your in-town or rural home or apartment.

The events in this series are free and open to all.  Take your questions and thoughts.  For more information, visit www.nativityrockport.org or email olliejones@gmail.com .