ROCKPORT — The Mid Coast Farmers Alliance with the support of Maine Farmland Trust invites regional food buyers to complete a survey assessing their needs for local produce. This survey will help connect local food buyers to the products they need and inform marketing decisions for local growers. 

All commercial food buyers from ‘mom and pop’ general stores to restaurants, to grocers and larger institutions like schools and hospitals are encouraged to participate. The buyers survey can be accessed on-line here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7P69FDX and will be open from March 21 until June 1.

The Mid Coast Farmers Alliance is an informal group of growers and agricultural service providers who have been meeting over the past several years to address common issues for farmers. 

In 2016 the Alliance conducted a preliminary producer’s survey completed by 35 growers. More than 50 percent of respondents were interested in expanding their operations and collaborating with other growers to reach a wider range of markets, according to the Alliance, in a news release.

On completion of the buyers survey, the Alliance plans to conduct an updated producers survey. 

The Mid Coast Farmers Alliance buyers survey is co-sponsored by Maine Coast Heritage Trust/Aldermere Farm, Knox-Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District, Time and Tide Resource Conservation and Development. 

For questions or more information contact Aaron Englander at aenglander@mcht.org; 207-236-2639.