Local agriculture program initiated by Catholic Charities
CARIBOU, Maine — Caribou’s Farm for ME site will be blessed by Bishop Robert P. Deeley in a special ceremony Wednesday, June 1, 2016 beginning at 2 p.m.
To event will celebrate the impact of Catholic Charities Maine’s local farm program while offering a blessing for its continued success. The field is located on 648 Van Buren Road in Caribou.
According to officials with the Diocese of Portland, in the Holy Year of Mercy declared by Pope Francis, all are invited to live faith more fully by seeking ways to reflect God’s love and mercy. Giving mercy is accomplished through living out the corporal works of mercy, including to feed the hungry.
Launched in 2013, the “Farm for ME” program has done just that, adding fresh vegetables to the mix of food distributed by Catholic Charities Maine through its Food Bank to the 24 food pantries it supplies across northern Maine. Last year, nearly 34,000 pounds of beets, carrots, rutabagas, and squash were harvested.
“It is an extraordinary program,” said the bishop. “Food insecurity is a real problem in our state. It’s the first thing people cut. They can’t cut their medication, taxes, heating bills, or rent, so they cut back on food. The fact that we can help by providing this food through the ‘Farm for ME’ program, particularly for the elderly and the poor, is a beautiful way in which we care for people.”
“The program has grown leaps and bounds,” said Dixie Shaw, the director of hunger and relief services for Catholic Charities Maine. “We need to make sure that people in Aroostook County have enough to eat because not everyone can grow a garden and not everyone is young enough or healthy enough to do it.”
As awareness of the “Farm for ME” program has increased, others have stepped forward to assist. Area farmers donated over 70,000 pounds of produce last year and program officials also collected nearly 4,000 pounds of vegetables left on other farmers’ fields. The program has grown to such an extent that it now partners with Good Shepherd Food Bank in Auburn through its Mainers Feeding Mainers program to help others in need across the state.
“Farm for ME” also works with Northern Girl, a processing company in Van Buren, to flash freeze vegetables so they can be saved for the winter months.
All are encouraged to attend the special event on June 1. Volunteers, donors, staff and community members will gather with the bishop starting at 2 p.m., with the blessing to follow at 2:30 p.m.
For more information, contact Dave Guthro, diocesan communications director, at (207) 321-7810 or dave.guthro@portlanddiocese.org.
