The Skowhegan Development Group received a $200,000 grant to help Maine Grains and other businesses.

Maine Grains at 42 Court St. in Skowhegan, July 2022. Portland Press Herald file

SKOWHEGAN — The Skowhegan Economic Development Corporation has received a $200,000 grant to support a partnership with Maine Grains, the University of Maine System and Sodexo’s Maine program to provide packaged grain products to schools.

Bags of flour are being stacked for shipment in July 2022 at the Maine Grains warehouse at 42 Court St. in Skowhegan. Portland Press Herald file

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry announced Monday a grant from the Henry P. Kendall Foundation as part of the 2024 New England Food Vision award, which awarded more than $1.2 million to support local food in local communities. schools.

The effort represents a multi-year commitment to help improve sustainability, relationships and capacity in New England’s regional food system, according to the state Department of Agriculture.

The University of Maine System and Sodexo are looking to add healthy, ready-to-eat, local grain products to their menus, officials said.

The equipment, funded by the award, is expected to allow Maine Grains to process local milling, cheese, seaweed, blueberry and soy byproducts into packaged foods high in fiber and protein for sale to schools, according to the state Department of Agriculture.

The New England Food Vision Prize funds collaborative projects that address challenges in sourcing and serving local produce, fish, meat, dairy and grains in New England educational institutions.

Award-winning projects help connect public school districts and higher education institutions with farmers, distributors, fishermen, food hubs and other organizations committed to producing at least 30% of the region’s food by 2030. The 2024 awards are expected to support nine projects. from five New England states that will reach more than 150,000 students in 2019 schools.

“I am honored to support change leaders in their efforts to strengthen New England’s food system,” said Andy Kendall, executive director of the Kendall Foundation. “More regional foods on campus and district menus results in stronger supply chains, more sustainable producers and distributors, and more knowledgeable students who will become tomorrow’s consumers. Congratulations to all teams that won prizes.”

The Kendall Foundation began its grant program for regional food systems in 2011. It collaborates with other organizations dedicated to building a healthy and sustainable food system in New England and is committed to supporting innovative approaches that benefit from increased awareness and interest in the food system.