Innovative Solutions for Food Access Launch of Harvesting Good

Building on its longstanding history of local food purchasing from Maine farmers and expertise in understanding local food systems, and after years of research, the Food Bank launched Harvesting Good—an innovative forprofit public benefit corporation, incorporated as a wholly owned subsidiary last fall.

Traditionally, Maine’s short growing season and lack of local and appropriately scaled vegetable processing facilities have limited opportunities for farmers to expand their business and has meant that consumers and food banks have limited access to local foods once the harvest season is over. Harvesting Good is a revolutionary business model that aims to strengthen regional food systems by creating food processing infrastructure for farmers in the Northeast and making local produce available to all consumers year-round.

Harvesting Good launched to wholesale markets in August 2022, selling frozen broccoli florets as its first product. Circle B Farms in Caribou grew the broccoli, which was flash-frozen by W.R. Allen in Orland, and packaged and distributed by Jasper Wyman & Son in Cherryfield. Ultimately, the product will be sold to retailers and wholesalers (including to food banks) throughout the Northeast and 100 percent of profits will benefit food banks in the region