BRUNSWICK — On March 1, First Parish Church, UCC, welcomed Dr. Mark Lapping, distinguished professor at Muskie School of Public Service and principal investigator for the Maine Food Strategy, for a talk titled, “What’s Eating Maine? What Does Maine Eat?” as part of its Windows On … Food educational series. Lapping shared the state of food processing, food production and food insecurity in Maine.

No region is more dependent on imported food and oil than New England, Maine most of all. In its rich agricultural history, Maine used to be the bread basket of the Union. Now we grow and process little of the food we consume. Lapping says this is more of a food system problem than a production issue because we send away most of the foods we harvest. Maine is missing out on the jobs and wealth creation that exist in the processing portion of the food system.

Other than potatoes, processing is lagging in Maine. Most of the 3,000 local food processors process jams and jellies. Lapping pointed out the need for slaughterhouses to process locally raised meat as some farmers have to transport their animals across state lines, a costly endeavor for the farmers and a lost opportunity for the state.

Maine’s farming landscape has shifted in recent years. While it has seen an increase in the overall number of farms, the average size is decreasing. Many of these small farms report an income of only $10,000 per year. Across the nation, Maine included, there is a loss of mid-sized farms, the farms that contribute to the “working rural landscape” which Lapping described as field, pasture, some crops and some forest.

Maine is experiencing staggering growth in the production of organic vegetables, fruits and dairy, and now has a significant artisanal cheese market. Direct sales from farm to consumer are up, including CSAs and farmers markets, demonstrating a desire to reconnect with food and with the people who produce our food.

Lapping closed his talk with some disheartening facts about food insecurity in Maine. Maine is the ninth worst state in the nation with 1 out of 5 families designated as food insecure or very food insecure, including 24 percent of children under 16. Kids without enough food are not learning and these children are the future of Maine’s workforce. Lapping combatted some common myths by stating clearly that food insecure families are overwhelmingly white and overwhelmingly working.

Maine’s profound hunger problem, Lapping says, is a public policy issue and an incomes problem. Until we start talking about livable wages and safety nets for our elderly and our children, we’re not going to make a dent. Lapping encouraged everyone to visit the Maine Food Strategy’s website to learn more about growing Maine’s economy around food, agriculture and fisheries, and enhancing access to Maine foods and employment opportunities for Maine citizens: mainefoodstrategy.org.

First Parish families also enjoyed a fantastic meal on Sunday that the children helped to prepare. In addition to chopping vegetables, cutting fruit and making bread, they played a fun game of identifying fruits and vegetables. Being involved in the preparation was enjoyable for the kids who were excited to eat the fresh, healthy and veggie-full meal.

Please join us this Sunday, March 8, at 11:15 a.m. for our last event in the Windows On … Food series. We will welcome state Rep. Craig Hickman who will speak with us about “Food Matters” as related to his life as legislator, organic farmer, business owner, community volunteer, chef, award winning poet and author. In addition to operating a sustainable farm, he and his spouse host the Winthrop Community Gardens and a fresh food bank for anyone in need.

Hickman serves as the House chairman of the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.

The talk will be at 9 Cleaveland St.