By Molly Haley, staff writer
Portland’s Feeding the 5000 event featured local chefs and volunteers serving thousands of people a delicious, free lunch made entirely from fresh, locally grown food that otherwise would have gone to waste. The event is part of an international initiative to educate communities and reduce food waste. Feeding the 5000 events have taken place in 40 cities worldwide – with Portland being the smallest city to host an event. Many Maine nonprofits partnered to put on the event including the Cumberland County Food Security Council, Healthy Acadia, and the Natural Resources Council of Maine.
