Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Outreach topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
MCFA seeks USDA funding for Portland Fish Exchange community events; subcommittee discusses outreach and website renovation
Summary
The Maine Commercial Fisheries Association applied for a USDA grant to fund three community events at the Portland Fish Exchange in 2026–27; committee members discussed outreach, advertising and updating the PFE website and photos.
Members of the Portland Fish Exchange Subcommittee heard that the Maine Commercial Fisheries Association (MCFA) submitted a USDA grant application to support community outreach events at the Portland Fish Exchange if awarded in September or October.
Mary, an MCFA representative, told the committee the application would fund a summer-season series in 2026 and 2027 of three events at the PFE featuring food trucks, local processors providing sample tastings, tours of the exchange and staff-led facility information. The grant would require a match; MCFA and PFE built staff time into the match and budgeted about $12,000–$17,000 over two years in staff capacity to support events if awarded.
Committee members discussed outreach channels and low-cost publicity options. Suggestions included advertising in commercial fisheries publications, working with the Portland Chamber of Commerce, placing small ads in local papers (the Portland Press Herald / Fore River publications were discussed), posting on Facebook and using the city’s communications channels. Mary said advertising and outreach were included in the grant budget.
Members also discussed the PFE website (pfe.org) and the need for updated photos and more current content. Robert Van Meter, the PFE manager, said changes to photos and page content require support from the city’s web vendor (IBEC/IVEC) and that adding new pictures has previously required paid contractor time. Kayla (city staff) said each city department manages its own pages and that she could attempt to upload content if provided access, but Van Meter said he does not have permission to grant access directly and would coordinate with city staff. Committee members suggested using current iPhone photos to refresh imagery while avoiding unneeded contracting costs.
The committee did not take a formal vote on outreach or website work. Members asked to keep community outreach on future agendas and to report back if the USDA grant is approved.
