Seacoast Eat Local

Via our friends at Slow Food Seacoast, the latest news on the current financial state of Maine Organic Milk, also known as MOOMilk:

A grand agricultural experiment — a Maine farmer-owned milk company — is close to folding and will suspend milk production this week as its principles scramble to find investment funding.

 

MOOMilk, which stands for Maine’s Own Organic Milk, processed milk Wednesday but will suspend production on Sunday, as a variety of reasons have combined to force the business toward closure. Only skim and one percent milk are still being processed since the company’s cash flow is so low that it cannot purchase two percent and whole milk car-tons.

 

“We are out of money,” David Bright, MOOMilk’s secretary and one of its founders, said this week.

 

Although the company began with 10 member farmers from Washington, Aroostook and Kennebec counties, that number has fallen to six, threatening the company’s ability to produce enough milk to remain sustainable.

 

Two farmers retired; another sold his herd; and a fourth opted to switch to conventional milk from organic.

Distributed reached more than 49 stores in Maine and New Hampshire. Currently, the company is seeking additional investment funding. Maybe some Slow Money to the rescue?  To read entire article >

With what is sure to become an annual event, UNH Slow Food is sponsoring their first Seacoast Community Eat-in:

Join UNH Slow Food on Sunday, September 12 at 5:30pm for the first annual Seacoast Community Eat-In. This event is free and open to the public and will be held on the UNH campus behind Demeritt Hall, just off Main Street in Durham. This is a potluck event — bring a favorite dish to share with your friends and neighbors.

 

WHY AN EAT-IN?

Let’s face it. We lead busy lives. Often we’re too busy to share a meal with friends and neighbors, much less take the time to meet new ones. The Seacoast Community Eat-In is an opportunity for the community to take a break collectively and enjoy the company of others over a homemade meal.

 

GETTING THERE

If you are unfamiliar with the UNH campus, please click here for a map. The Eat-In will take place just behind Demeritt Hall, shown towards the center of the map. Parking is available along Main Street, next to Thompson Hall, and in various lots across campus. There is no charge for parking on Sundays.

 

Many thanks to Gordon Jenkins at Slow Food USA for use of his classic “fist and fork” logo.

For more information >