A Thriving Ministry of Local Foods: First Universalist Church of Rockland, ME
By Robin Nelson
Fishing has always been a traditional way of life in coastal Maine. For generations, fishing was plentiful and fishermen could count on selling their catch locally. Over time, stocks plummeted due to over fishing and competition from global markets caused prices to decline. When the price of fuel soared the profit margin for local fishermen narrowed even further. The downturn in fishing took its toll on communities, schools could no longer survive and villages faced extinction. The non-profit Island Institute in Rockland, ME, the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance and the Midcoast Fishermen’s Association (MFA) worked together to sustain the endangered fisheries.
As a result of a successful Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, the Green Sanctuary team at First Universalist Church of Rockland started one of the nation’s first Community Supported Fisheries (CSF). The creation of the CSF led to the creation of additional CSFs in Maine and fishing communities from around the world have been contacting the MFA to see if they can replicate the model. The CSF partnership has played a seminal role in helping to sustain the local fishing fleet, spreading the word about the importance of buying locally, and the fishermen and CSF members share a bond and common goal of the restoration of a vibrant fishery along coastal Maine. More information about UU Rockland’s ministry of local foods on the Congregational Stewardship Blog.
For more information contact greensanctuary @ uua.org.
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Last updated on Friday, August 19, 2011.
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