Ellsworth Food System Project
URCI Looks to Help
Rooted: Ellsworth’s Place in the Food System – Event Recap
Keynote Susanne Lee shares information about the significance of the circular food system
Despite a snowy start to the day, more than 30 food-minded people attended Rooted from as far away as Topsham and Washington County to learn about the circular food system and brainstorm on how Ellsworth and the Union River Center for Innovation might support the greater Downeast food system.
Keynote speaker, Susanne Lee of the Sen. George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions at the University of Maine, presented a deep dive into how a circular food system works and why it’s important to employ that methodology over that of a linear model.
Hannah Semler was on hand to help attendees assess the elements of a circular food system in order to identify where they have the greatest impact
Then it was time to get to work as attendees and facilitators went into breakout groups to conduct SWOT (strengths, weakness, opportunities, and threats) analysis for the 4 major elements of a circular food system as they relate to Ellsworth and Hancock County.
Each team reported SWOT findings to the full group and that was followed by a visioning session to establish action items and direction going forward.
Hannah Semler of Farm Drop and Harond Bredersen of GrowSmart Maine facilitate the ‘Distribution’ SWOT Analysis
Nancy Smith of GrowSmart Maine (in person) and Mary Blackstone of Green Ellsworth (virtually) facilitate the ‘Production’ SWOT analysis
Harold Brederson and Katie Freedman of Healthy Acadia provide the update and next steps for the Downeast Food System Partnership.
The Downeast Food System Partnership is already planning its next event in the Ellsworth area for early April where it will likely present a deep dive into the various food hub models that could serve the region based on the findings from Rooted.
Event Documents are Available for Download
The City of Ellsworth commissioned a business attraction plan in 2024 whose findings indicated that one of the industry sectors suited to thrive in Ellsworth is specialty food, beverage, and distribution. In recent years, particularly since the pandemic, the Center has pivoted its focus a bit. Although it continues to serve as a hub for business resources and entrepreneurial support, the lab has been decommissioned, and the co-working space has been expanded.
In accordance with the findings of the Business Attraction Plan and the recommendations of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, the Center is exploring both its and the City’s place in the local and greater Downeast food system. A Food Advisory Committee has been convened to help build awareness, engage stakeholders and the community, gather data, and ultimately provide some recommendations to the City on how best to benefit the food system and encourage and support the growth of the regional food economy.
Ellsworth Food Forum
URCI has launched the Ellsworth Food Forum newsletter to help folks stay in the Regional Food System loop.
Food Security Resources
Access to food is critical and with the interruption in SNAP and EBT benefits, here are some resources if you need help and some opportunities if you want to provide help.
Food Fest Ellsworth and Market on Main
The first community outreach initiative for the project was Food Fest Ellsworth and Market on Main in late September 2025 on Autumn Gold weekend. More than 30 businesses and organizations from Ellsworth and the region participated.