Sometimes, less really is more. This can certainly be said when it comes to food—or at least its cost. When you get the most from your food is not when you spend the most, at a fancy restaurant, but when you take the time to invest in a meal, and yourself, by cooking a meal at home. Maine has the resources to not only help you save money but support local businesses and farmers at the same time.
To take advantage of local foods during this the time of year when even a green blade of grass seems to be too much to hope for, look for a food co-op in your area. In the co-operative spirit, everyone is welcome, and these organizations make a point to stick to local producers--and you save money through buying in bulk. With many co-ops throughout the state, it is easy to find one near you. The links below are a good place to get started.
http://www.meliving.com/healthfoodstores/index.shtml
http://www.coopdirectory.org/directory.htm#Maine
While our spring and summers are short, the fruits of the seasons are plentiful. As spring approaches, prepare for the bounty ahead—clear out your freezer to make sure you can enjoy local produce all year. With the strawberry, raspberry and blueberry, cucumbers, corn and green beans of summer, to the pumpkins, squash and apples in the fall, the wide variety of Maine’s produce will keep you busy in your kitchen! At www.getrealgetmaine.com, you can search by the product you are looking for, or by your county or even town.
Just like when you use a Maine credit union, when you shop and eat locally, you are investing in your community while saving money! And, not only will local, seasonal food help support your community and save you money, food simply tastes better when you eat it when you are supposed to! What better reason to bring what’s more in Maine into your kitchen today!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
What's More In Maine - CUs Help Build Sense Of Community On And Off The Court
In many communities across Maine, basketball is a part of the culture, history and identity! Not just for what happens on the court but also for what happens off the court. During the cold winter months, basketball games help provide a gathering place for communities to come together, put differences and challenges aside, and cheer and feel proud about where they live and the people who live in it.
In a scene that is duplicated across Maine, the fervor for basketball, especially at the high school level, is so strong that when the local teams play out of town, the saying goes, "The last one out of town turns out the lights." What is special for many communities is not the outpouring of support for teams when they win but for the comfort and reassurance they provide when they lose.
In addition to games that count, Maine credit unions also use the basketball court as a way to bring people together for a common cause. For 15 years, the Swish-Out Childhood Cancer Challenge, coordinated by Maine credit unions, has brought businesses, families and other groups together to help raise money for the Maine Children’s Cancer Program. This 3-on-3 event is Maine’s longest running, continuous charity event of its kind. Despite the state of the economy, this year’s event, held on Sunday, February 8, raised more than $25,000 for children with cancer and their families. In its history, the event has now raised more than $148,000 for this special cause.
For Maine credit unions, it is this kind of spirit and sense of community that we embrace. Maine credit unions are a place for thousands of consumers to come together to get help when times are tough not just during the good times.
As communities across Maine flock to Augusta, Bangor and Portland for the Annual "Rite of Winter" known as the High School Basketball Tournaments, Maine credit unions are again pleased to bring those games to those who can't make it to the game because of travel or other commitments. As one of eight exclusive supporters of the Maine Public Broadcasting Network's statewide coverage of 44 high school tournament games, Maine's credit unions are again demonstrating a unique commitment to the communities they serve.
By Saturday, February 28, all of the state champions will have been crowned and there will, no doubt, be celebrations in some communities and tears in others. Win or lose, though, communities will be a source of strength because that's what communities do - 'people helping people' for better or worse. Just like your local credit union...
In a scene that is duplicated across Maine, the fervor for basketball, especially at the high school level, is so strong that when the local teams play out of town, the saying goes, "The last one out of town turns out the lights." What is special for many communities is not the outpouring of support for teams when they win but for the comfort and reassurance they provide when they lose.
In addition to games that count, Maine credit unions also use the basketball court as a way to bring people together for a common cause. For 15 years, the Swish-Out Childhood Cancer Challenge, coordinated by Maine credit unions, has brought businesses, families and other groups together to help raise money for the Maine Children’s Cancer Program. This 3-on-3 event is Maine’s longest running, continuous charity event of its kind. Despite the state of the economy, this year’s event, held on Sunday, February 8, raised more than $25,000 for children with cancer and their families. In its history, the event has now raised more than $148,000 for this special cause.
For Maine credit unions, it is this kind of spirit and sense of community that we embrace. Maine credit unions are a place for thousands of consumers to come together to get help when times are tough not just during the good times.
As communities across Maine flock to Augusta, Bangor and Portland for the Annual "Rite of Winter" known as the High School Basketball Tournaments, Maine credit unions are again pleased to bring those games to those who can't make it to the game because of travel or other commitments. As one of eight exclusive supporters of the Maine Public Broadcasting Network's statewide coverage of 44 high school tournament games, Maine's credit unions are again demonstrating a unique commitment to the communities they serve.
By Saturday, February 28, all of the state champions will have been crowned and there will, no doubt, be celebrations in some communities and tears in others. Win or lose, though, communities will be a source of strength because that's what communities do - 'people helping people' for better or worse. Just like your local credit union...
Monday, February 2, 2009
Welcome to What's More in Maine: Giving more to help feed Maine's hungry
Welcome to the What's More in Maine Blog. Please return weekly to find posts that describe why Maine is a great place to live, work and play -- why there's more in our state! We will cover happenings, events and news that make a difference ... from what organizations do in their communities to the people and places that make Maine a great state. From time to time, we will touch on how credit unions make a difference in Maine because credit unions were founded on the principle of "Maine People Helping Maine People" and have played a large part in our state's history and continue now and in the future helping Mainers with their financial needs. We believe your comments add to our blog. Hopefully, you'll learn some new things about Maine too!
Nearly 20,000 of Maine kids are hungry ...
The statistics:
Nearly 20,000 of Maine kids are hungry ...
The statistics:
- More than 40% of Maine kids under the age of 12 show some evidence of hunger.
- An additional 64,087 children are at risk of hunger.
- 12% of Maine households, representing 165,000 people, experience food insecurity.
- Hunger and the risk of hunger are widespread among Maine’s low-income families with children.
- Several groups are found to be at greater risk of hunger in Maine; children, adults in low-income families, disabled persons, persons with special needs, the elderly, those living in rural regions and the inner cities of Maine’s largest urban places.
There is help, and an example of Mainers helping Mainers.
At the end of January, credit unions came together for "thawing" out hunger in Maine at the January Thaw to End Hunger Celebration Event. At this annual event, the Maine Credit Unions' Campaign for Ending Hunger announced that it had raised a record-setting $375,296.59 in 2008, an increase of nearly $10,000 over last year's record.
On hand to acknowledge this accomplishment and to present the distribution of funds was Maine's First Lady, Karen Baldacci. Mrs. Baldacci applauded credit unions for their efforts and assisted in the distribution of checks to representatives from credit unions from across the state. The checks, in turn, will be distributed by each credit union to their local area food pantries and hunger organizations. 100% of the funds raised go to help end hunger in Maine.
The 2008 Maine Credit Unions' Campaign for Ending Hunger not only had a record setting year but it formed new relationships with food pantries across the state. These enhanced efforts are extremely important, as food pantries are seeing a significant increase in requests during these difficult times. Since 1990, the Maine Credit Unions' Campaign for Ending Hunger has raised over $3.1 million to help end hunger in Maine.
Special thanks to Maine credit union members who helped raised donations to help end hunger -- so less children can go to bed with empty stomaches at night ... and are not another statistic.
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