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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>***Please see below for a corrected survey link!***<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">On December 10, 2024, USDA released a
</span><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><a href="https://www.usda.gov/article/usda-announces-availability-113-billion-local-food-programs" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue">Notice of Funding Opportunity</span></b></a></span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"> (NOFO)
for State agencies to access funds to purchase and distribute local foods for CACFP operators. The goal of this opportunity is to strengthen local and regional food systems, broaden partnerships with childcare institutions and local food networks, and ensure
the use of fresh and nutritious foods in program meals. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">Maine anticipates receiving $536,000 in funding for local foods for CACFP!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">This is a 3-year grant period.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">Maine currently has a little over 400 CACFP family childcare providers and about 186 CACFP center sites.
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">Individual provider/site funding will likely be based on data regarding number of meals/snacks served in October.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">Individual providers/sites will have the option to “opt in/opt out” of program funding.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">Programs will receive reimbursement for the purchases of ‘minimally processed’ local foods- programs will
<u>not</u> receive the money up front.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">Claims for reimbursement for local foods purchases will be submitted through an online software program called “Grants for ME”.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">Claiming reimbursement for these funds will involve submitting dated, itemized receipts as well as information about products and producers.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">We hope to start this program in summer or fall of 2025.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">As we make plans for applying for and distributing these funds, we need your feedback!
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">How this program is established here in Maine will depend on a variety of factors, such as: sponsor/provider/site
capacity to file claims for reimbursement in a new system, provider/center needs/desires for local foods, availability of local foods, distribution of local foods, etc.
<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">Please complete the following short survey: </span></b><a href="https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=q6g_QX0gYkubzeoajy-GTjkRg43GkTRGl8oKaTh8Y-JUOUo3TzlRWE1YMjJQTEowWldMQURIME01SiQlQCNjPTEkJUAjdD1n">https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=q6g_QX0gYkubzeoajy-GTjkRg43GkTRGl8oKaTh8Y-JUOUo3TzlRWE1YMjJQTEowWldMQURIME01SiQlQCNjPTEkJUAjdD1n</a>
<b><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">by January 22<sup>nd</sup>, 2025 to give us your input on this exciting new local foods opportunity for CACFP!
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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