ALFRED — There’s a new partner in the fight against hunger in York County.

York County government has announced a collaboration with Partners for a Hunger Free York County. The coalition of farmers, gardeners, nutrition educators and nonprofits that formed in 2011 will have new quarters at the county-owned building at the corner of Alfred Road (Route 4) and Swett’s Bridge Road in Alfred, and intends to support a wide array of food-related programs.

“There is a real need in this community for this partnership,” Sallie Chandler, chairwoman of the York County Commission, said in a statement. “The commissioners are dedicated to serve all members of our community. This is yet another way we will serve the people of York County.”

Members of Partners for a Hunger Free York County include Partners for Healthier Communities, United Way of York County, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, York Community Services Association, York County Community Action, York County Shelter Programs, farmers, gardeners, nutrition educators and others.

Until it closed in mid-April, the Alfred location was the home of Food Rescue of York County, an agency that had helped supply food to more than 40 food pantries and soup kitchens across the county.

Partners for Hunger Free York County is not replicating that effort, said its director, Kristine Jenkins, in a telephone interview on Sunday. Instead, it hopes to base a variety of activities at the Swett’s Bridge Road location.

The effort is still in the planning stages, and the coalition’s planning committee is meeting today to examine some possibilities, Jenkins said.

“Far too many people in York County are facing hunger and malnutrition,” said Jenkins. “Our focus as a coalition is to bring resources and people together to improve nutrition security for everyone.”

In partnering with York County government, the coalition felt there was potential to expand existing projects, Jenkins said. In addition, farmers were interested in having a place where fresh produce could be stored and ultimately stay in York County for the benefit of residents.

The space could be used for nutrition education on how to use fresh food and produce, and to expand its “share” program for low-income seniors. Currently, seniors in the low-income bracket can get fresh fruits and vegetables in the summer, and the coalition expanded its program somewhat in the offseason, offering squash and apples before Thanksgiving last year.

Jenkins and County Manager Greg Zinser agree that a food pantry or bank will be a component of the programs, but details are not yet worked out.

“Our goal is to expand the capability of food access in York County,” said Zinser.

Food Rescue of York County closed in mid-April, citing the loss of a federal commodities contract, which had supplied 45 percent of the food, and changes at a supermarket warehouse, which had supplied 30 percent of the food distributed.

Following the announcement of Food Rescue’s closing, Zinser said the county hoped to continue with a program to address the need for services to food-insecure residents. He approached Bob Dawber, director of York County Shelter Programs, and the idea blossomed – and bore fruit.

“We are grateful for this chance to work with York County Commissioners to create greater access to healthy food – especially the good food produced by York County’s farmers,” said Jenkins. “We know we can do better to help York County feed York County.”

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.