We’ve Expanded to Rockland!

Cooking for Community Expands Hunger Relief to Mid-Coast

Cooking for Community, a grassroots organization that raises money to fund restaurants that need work to prepare healthy meals for people who need food , announced today it has broadened its reach beyond Greater Portland into the Midcoast.

“Recognizing the deep need in the Mid-Coast region, we have partnered with Cafe Miranda in Rockland to cook and deliver dozens of meals a week initially to The Landing Place, AIO Food Pantry, and Hospitality House, for distribution to families in need,” noted Ellie Linen Low, a founding member of Cooking for Community. “We’ve already achieved extraordinary success in the six short months we’ve been in operation. Our programming is a remarkable tool for creating a healthy, full circle economy. Hungry members of the community receive wholesome, comforting meals; social service agencies get critical help meeting the needs of those they serve; restaurants bring back employees and buy from local farms.”

Cafe Miranda in Rockland, under the direction of Chef Kerry Altiero & The Miranda Team will prepare ready to eat/heat & serve quality meals for this effort. Chef Kerry is a pivotal force behind Cooking for Community’s Mid-Coast expansion. On Monday, September 28, Cafe Miranda turned out meals for The Landing Place in Rockland, serving marginalized youth, and Hospitality House in Rockport, serving the homeless. “Our decision to partner with Cooking for Community was based on our long and significant history of community involvement. It is clear that locals who don’t have access to local and sustainable food are being affected by food insecurity,” Altiero said. “ We look forward to teaming up with local purveyors to source as much as we can to prepare our weekly meals. Our goal is to execute a successful start for Cooking for Community in the Midcoast. We will be seeking additional funding to expand our reach in the region and teaming up with other local restaurants and local suppliers.”

This partnership would not be possible without the generosity of Hannaford, a key funder in the expansion’s launch.

“The idea that Cooking for Community is built on is incredibly powerful: that we can strengthen Maine’s vital restaurant industry by helping feed those in need,” said Maile Buker, Hannaford’s Vice President of Marketing. “With partnerships like this one, we can make a real difference in the lives of those who are struggling through the economic disruption caused by the pandemic. As a valued chef partner in Hannaford Chef’s Table, we are especially thrilled that Kerry Altiero and his team at Café Miranda in Rockland have stepped up to launch this innovative program.”

Since March, Cooking for Community, through its 14 partner restaurants, 14 social service agency partners, local farms, and dozens of volunteers, has prepared and delivered over 50,000 meals around the greater Portland and Lewiston/Auburn areas. Those restaurants include Little Giant, Chaval, Istanbul, Gather, Union, Mama Mo’s, Nura, Maggie Mae’s, Leeward, Mr. Tuna, LB Kitchen, Dutch’s, Boba’s, and Cafe Miranda. Many say that Cooking for Community income is critical in keeping them open for business. The majority of them purchase ingredients from the following local farms: Broad Arrow Farm, Dandelion Springs Farm, and Cold Spring Ranch.

The Needs are High…and Growing

Prior to COVID-19, Maine was already one of the most food insecure states in the nation. Cooking for Community anticipates that as unemployment increases and unemployment benefits are reduced, millions of families will be seriously impacted. Maine is no exception. Cooking for Community is currently exploring ways to increase and sustain funding so they are able to continue their vital work.