Each Regional Food Resilience Coordinator serves as the primary contact for assigned rural jurisdictions, but will work collaboratively across regions as assigned:
Eastern Shore: Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, Worcester
Central: Carroll, Frederick, Harford
Southern: Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s
Western: Allegany, Garrett, Washington
This position serves the State of Maryland, its State Agencies, and local jurisdictions in the following areas:
Support the daily operations of MDEM’s regional food resilience activities, including those funded by Maryland’s Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program.
Serve as MDEM’s primary liaison for food resilience partners and stakeholders in assigned jurisdictions, conducting in-person and virtual outreach with public and private-sector entities in the food and agriculture sectors.
Expand the regional food resilience network for assigned jurisdictions, addressing stakeholder inquiries and building relationships through professional, proactive, and timely communication.
Conduct outreach and facilitate communications with rurally-based food resilience stakeholder groups.
Coordinate food resilience initiatives at both regional and local levels for assigned jurisdictions, providing expertise in the following subjects: agriculture, food distribution, food processing, nutrition and public health, food safety, and food systems planning and zoning.
Provide direct planning support for regional food resilience events across the state, including program planning, marketing, organizing featured speakers and panelists, and coordinating event procurement.
Respond to in-person and virtual technical assistance inquiries, and develop resources for food resilience planning for assigned jurisdictions.
Coordinate, organize, and disseminate food resilience information between state agencies, regional and local stakeholders, and local government partners.
As assigned, research background information and develop products on food resilience issues (e.g. food insecurity, food supply chain continuity, and agricultural practices).
Interface with state legislators and coordinate stakeholder outreach regarding food resilience priorities, programs, and policies as directed.
Support MDEM Directorate staff and local emergency management agencies with the coordination and development of food resilience-related products and projects.
Assist cross-sector efforts to better adapt to and recover from shocks and stressors to Maryland’s food and agriculture industries.
As assigned, collaborate with MDEM’s food resilience team members to support coordination in their assigned regions.