News & Press

CENTRAL MAINE | “This collaborative effort with Healthy Communities of the Capital Area and the Children’s Museum of Central Maine is a testament to our shared commitment to nurturing the minds of our youth and fostering a connection with nature.”

CENTRAL MAINE | Healthy Communities of the Capital Area (HCCA) welcomes Mallory Siddiqui as Tobacco Prevention coordinator.

NEWS CENTER MAINE | SACO, Maine — As students across Maine prepare to head back to the classroom after summer break, dozens of school and nutrition leaders are preparing to implement a new program to help students and their health.

CENTRAL MAINE | "Healthy Communities of the Capital Area is set to offer four presentations at the Maine Public Health Association Conference on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at the Holiday in By the Bay in Portland. This year’s conference theme is “Innovations in Public Health.”

Healthy Communities of the Capital Area (HCCA) is proud to welcome Anna Pellerin as Substance Use Prevention Coordinator, and Isabelle Stevens as Tobacco Prevention Coordinator. Pellerin and Stevens will be responsible for planning and implementing policy, systems, and environmental change strategies with community partners to address tobacco and substance use. 

“HCCA’s grant will support assessing expansion of Maine Farm & Sea to Institution efforts to include long-term care and other congregate meal sites that serve older adults across Maine, with the goal of improving health of older adult eaters at these sites and supporting the local food economy,” said HCCA Executive Director, Renee Page.

On October 14, 2025, food system leaders and local food advocates from Maine and across the Northeast region gathered at Colby College in Waterville for the Maine Farm and Sea to Institution Summit. Hosted by the Maine Farm and Sea to Institution Network (MEFTI), coordinated by Healthy Communities of the Capital Area, the conference gathered more than 180 farmers, fishermen, food businesses, nutrition directors, educators, policymakers, and others for a full day of learning, networking, and action around the shared goal of leveraging institutional purchasing power to strengthen local food systems and improve public health outcomes.