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This website was originally developed as a virtual "meetinghouse" for people and organizations working together to create a more prosperous future for the Maine Mountain region. The website is currently maintained by the Maine Mountain Heritage Network, an open association of businesses, non-profits, and government entities.
In recent months, members of the MMHN Coordinating Team have decided to explore joining forces with potential partners to our east and north, specifically to attract new resources to support our projects and to gain greater market reach. To those ends, we are now proposing transforming our network into a new Maine Woods Consortium! To find out more, click here!
A note to first time visitors: you can read most of what is on the site without registering, but if you want to join in forum discussions, or find out who else is registered on the site - you will need to REGISTER. The process is simple, painless, and as secure as we can make it.
Thanks for your interest!
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Shared Use Kitchens as an Agricultural Economic Engine |
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 An increase in demand for locally grown and organic foods is reinvigorating the agricultural sector of the Maine economy. To keep up with this market trend, local infrastructure such as warehousing and food processing facilities must be rebuilt. Utilizing Shared Use Kitchens can help fill the gap while allowing local farmers and food entrepreneurs a chance to add value to their products.
Shared Use Kitchens are licensed facilities that provide small scale food entrepreneurs the space to prepare and process value-added food. When looked at from a cost saving perspective, the impact on the small-scale food entrepreneur is very significant. It allows the cost of processing equipment, supplies, space, and services to be shared amongst multiple users. Some kitchens may offer business planning and training. All will be located in service center communities that are easily accessible to food entrepreneurs.
The statewide Shared Use Kitchen Coalition is comprised of businesses, non-profits, community and government representatives who came together to organize around re-building Maine's food cluster infrastructure through investment in local production and distribution facilities. They seek to build awareness, leverage expertise, and coordinate regional development. There are currently five community-based projects underway, including one in Farmington at the Fairbanks School. Several others are in the concept phase, including one being planned by the River Valley Technology Center. For more information on the Shared Use Kitchen Coalition, visit the Threshold to Maine RC&D website or call (207) 657-3131.
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