Green beans being prepared in a kitchen

  • A big part of what we do at FINE is connect our network partners and support their work, but we also run our own projects that address specific issues along the farm to institution supply chain. This includes supply chain research, food processing collaboration, food service contract support, farmer wholesale readiness assistance and more. Looking for information specific to schools, colleges, carceral facilities, and hospitals? Visit our sector pages >

  • Webinar Series

    Voices of the Network Webinar Series 2025-2026

    FINE regularly hosts webinars to bring stories of resilience, belonging, partnership, and innovation across our region and along the farm to institution value chain. View all recordings on YouTube - and register for an upcoming one!

    Voices of the Network: 2025–2026 Farm to Institution Webinar Series

  • Rooted in Community

    Graphic showing local and regional networks for the Rooted in Community project

    Supported by a $969,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the three-year initiative, Rooted in Community: A localized approach to growing the farm to institution movement in New England, will create a collaborative values-based approach to building a community-based food system that shifts the institutional power dynamics around race. 

    The New England communities of Springfield, MA and Cumberland County, ME, will serve as a cohort for shared learning and implementation of farm to institution initiatives in schools, colleges, health care, and the corrections system. The cohort is represented by community-based organizations Springfield Food Policy Council and Cumberland County Food Security Council, who are already driving food systems change at the local level. 

    Learn More about Rooted in Community

  • Farm to Campus

    five young farmers carrying freshly cut produce

    Colleges and universities have the power to shape food systems through what they purchase, teach, and model for future leaders. At FINE, we partner with higher education to increase access to just, equitable, and sustainable food. Our campus work builds on years of collaboration through the former New England Farm & Sea to Campus Network, which was launched with the vision and leadership of dozens of volunteers and partners. Today, we continue that legacy by strengthening relationships, growing skills, and supporting campus communities to advance transparent regional supply chains, equitable procurement, and food systems education. 

    LEARN MORE

  • Metrics Dashboard

    FINE's metrics dashboard provides a snapshot of the farm to institution sector in New England. The dashboard shows the scope and impact of food procurement by K-12 schools, institutions of higher education, and hospitals. It also shows how these and other types of institutions impact New England food producers and food distributors. Data comes from our own surveys as well as other sources including the USDA Farm to School Census and Census of Agriculture, and Health Care Without Harm's Healthy Food in Health Care Survey.

    Metrics Dashboard

    • Group of conference attendees all seated, many are clapping.

      Northeast Farm to Institution Summit

      Every two years, FINE hosts the Northeast Farm to Institution Summit, a collaborative network event that strengthens the regional food system by celebrating and supporting the role of institutions as anchors in the region. By bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders in a collaborative process, the summit generates ideas and connections that advance the ability of the Northeast to support viable farm, food, and sea businesses and healthy, just communities. 

      F2i Summit

    • Food Service

      Two people working in food service

      FINE's Food Service Program is a multi-year effort that aims to inform action by increasing the understanding of how food service management companies work. We also help institutions utilize the request for proposal and contract negotiation processes to increase purchases of local food. 

      Findings of our research are featured in an online local food purchasing toolkit that includes key recommendations for institutions and advocates! 

      The toolkit builds on a foundation laid in 2015, when we published two reports on food service management company operations. Next steps include more outreach and engagement to put the toolkit to use. 

      LEARN MORE

       

    • Food Hubs & Processors

      Man stands in commercial kitchen

      The movement towards localizing the food system has increased the need for an alternative regional aggregation and distribution system as well as improved technical assistance in season extension, product and market development, and food safety. It is also creating the demand for food hubs, food business incubators, shared commercial kitchens, and co-packing services across the region.

      Food Hubs & Processors

    • Food Policy

      A small child peering through a fence
      Photo courtesy of the USDA
      Farm to School Program

      In March 2018, FINE convened a policy workgroup comprised of over two dozen stakeholders from across New England to help guide and support FINE's policy initiatives. Nessa Richman, Rhode Island Food Policy Council Network Director, and Sue Anderbois, Rhode Island Director of Food Strategy, chair this workgroup. This past year members of the workgroup have been integral to shaping FINE's policy priorities, including the production of a policy scan and database containing key state legislation impacting institutional procurement of local foods across the region.

      Learn More

    • COVID-19 Response

      We joined with you in facing the COVID-19 pandemic with concern, compassion - and action. We created resources, participated in a national assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on local food systems, hosted numerous forums, and continue to share information as our network shifts and adapts to this global situation.

      More about COVID-19 Response