On Thursday, April 16, MOFGA’s Executive Director, Sarah Alexander and Seth Kroeck, MOFGA Board member and owner of Crystal Springs Farm, delivered more than 2,500 signatures and comments to Hannaford executives asking Hannaford to adopt a “Maine-First” sourcing policy for vegetables! They talked about how farmers in Maine want to feed their communities, and how a meaningful partnership with Hannaford could be a win-win for Maine farmers and Hannaford shoppers.
Hannaford will look into a few areas that were discussed, and will meet again with MOFGA in early June. In the meantime, MOFGA will continue to collect signatures.
Find and sign the petition here. Read our letter to Hannaford below outlining the “Maine-First” sourcing policy.
Letter to Hannaford Supermarket
Hannaford Supermarket
145 Pleasant Hill Rd
Scarborough, ME 04074
Dear Kim Kuusela and Tim Tremblay,
I am writing on behalf of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) in response to your recent public statement regarding how unfavorable weather conditions have caused reduced carrot inventory at your stores.
These disruptions reveal the vulnerabilities of a global food market that prioritizes the lowest possible price over long-term reliability. While most of Maine’s food is shipped in from out of state, crops such as those currently in short supply, including carrots and potatoes, not only grow well here, but are grown in large quantities.
The lack of carrots on store shelves could be seen as an opportunity for Hannaford, and other grocery stores, to establish new relationships with local farmers, or revisit prior contracts that Hannaford ended when it was cheaper to source carrots from outside of Maine.
Maine grocers should look to Maine growers first and fill the gaps with products produced outside the region, not the other way around. We hope you will invest in our farmers by offering fair prices and sustainable contracts.
We encourage Hannaford to adopt a “Maine-First” sourcing policy. To ensure a resilient food system for your customers, we ask that you:
- Prioritize Local Contracts: Commit to sourcing Maine-grown carrots as your primary inventory, utilizing out-of-state suppliers only to fill seasonal gaps.
- Establish Fair Pricing Models: Offer sustainable contracts that reflect the true cost of local production, ensuring Maine farmers can remain a reliable backbone for your supply chain.
- Meet with Local Stakeholders: Open a direct dialogue with MOFGA and our network of growers to discuss volume requirements and procurement logistics for the upcoming season.
Maine grocers should lead the way in investing in Maine growers. We would be happy to discuss how we can work together to keep Maine’s shelves stocked with Maine’s own harvest, and look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Sarah Alexander
Executive Director
Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association