Food AND Medicine’s mission is to organize, educate, and empower workers and our communities in the fight for economic, social and racial justice. We believe that by creating active partnerships with unions, farmers, BIPOC groups, community groups, small businesses, faith-based and allied organizations we will create solutions and positive change.

Food AND Medicine was founded in 2002 in response to an avalanche of Trade Adjustment Assistance certified mill closures in Eastern Maine, which left some 3,000 union workers without jobs, healthcare, or social supports. As public consciousness of the reality of laid off workers grew, politicians, media, union members, and other concerned citizens all responded to assist union members by donating to give direct aid to laid off workers.

FAM emerged to provide direct support and began an aggressive and creative campaign to win health care benefits for these workers – the first ever benefits of this kind in the United States. FAM helped pass the Maine Jobs, Trade and Democracy Act.

Our name is partially inspired by the 1912 Bread and Roses Strike in Lowell, Massachusetts. This historic strike was crucial in the development of worker rights in the United States. The term “Bread and Roses” refers to the right of working people to have not only food and basic necessities (bread), but also nice things in life (roses).

STAFF

Jack McKay, Executive Director

Jack@foodandmedicine.org

(he/him), is one of the founders of Food AND Medicine, and has been the Director since 2001. Jack oversees the day-to-day operation of the organization, as well as strategic planning, finances, budgeting and ensuring FAM’s long-term sustainability. He was previously a school teacher in New York City and spent decades as a union organizer and activist.

A member of the IBEW, Jack has served as President of the Eastern Maine Labor Council for over 20 years, as well as the executive board of the Maine AFL-CIO.

Melissa Smith, Deputy Director

Melissa@foodandmedicine.org

(she/her) started with Food AND Medicine in 2015, when she was hired as Office Manager. She was promoted to Deputy Director in 2022; her responsibilities include finances, grant management, communications, data management, event planning and administrative duties. Melissa grew up in New Jersey but spent summer vacations in Maine and is a graduate of Rutgers University. She had a 15-year career as a compliance manager in the credit card industry in Phoenix, from which she was laid off in a workforce reduction prior to moving to Maine to be closer to her family.

A member of IBEW, Melissa serves as Secretary of the Eastern Maine Labor Council, AFL-CIO.

Meredyth Waters, Community Organizer

Meredyth@foodandmedicine.org

(she/her) Meredyth comes to Food AND Medicine after 3 campaign cycles and previously working for SEIU and Maine Peoples Alliance. When she is not working you can find her watching hockey or spending time in the woods. Meredyth joined FAM staff in May 2025.

Meredyth is a steward and member of National Organization of Legal Services Workers (NOLSW), UAW Local 2320.

Morgan Ramsay, Food Justice Organizer

Morgan@foodandmedicine.org

(She/her) Morgan was first a Food AND Medicine member and volunteer, and she joined the FAM staff in May of 2026 after graduating from the University of Maine. Morgan comes to FAM after canvassing at Maine People’s Alliance and farming at Fischer Farm. In her off time, Morgan enjoys swimming in rivers, painting, and making music.

Morgan is a member of National Organization of Legal Services Workers (NOLSW), UAW Local 2320.

Sandy Joy, Civic Engagement

Sandy@foodandmedicine.org

Sandy worked as a Community Organizer for FAM for many years and stepped back to care for her partner as he battled ALS. A licensed social worker, Sandy started and currently manages the crisis line for Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness. In 2017, Sandy started FAM’s Civic Engagement program, including holding our members of congress accountable. She returned to FAM in 2025 part time to organize our civic engagement group once again. Sandy lives with her rescue dog Gigi in Orono. She is the proud mother of her son Joe, a Harvard graduate.

Sandy is a member of NOLSW, UAW Local 2320.

Landen Michaud, Resource Fair

Landen@foodandmedicine.org

(They/them)

Board of Directors

Erin Oberson, Eamon Laskey, Brian Markey, John Welton, Marc Cryer, Molly Slotznick, Maulian Dana Bryant, Chuck Fraser, Daniel Carson, Jennifer Lund, Jackson Peck, Kimberly Lawson Tobias, Beth French, Peter Howe, Shawn Yardley

We are continuing to update this section with pictures and biographies for the Board

Join Us in Making a Difference:

There are currently no open positions

Food Justice

Collective Gardens

Food AND Medicine sustains 40 collective gardens in the Bangor region. These gardens are located at Public Housing complexes, sober houses, recovery spaces, faith centers, and mobile home co-ops.

Each garden is an independent decision-making entity, that chooses what they grow, and how they distribute the produce.

Solidarity Harvest

Solidarity Harvest is a project organized by Food AND Medicine and sponsored by the Eastern Maine Labor Council that distributes locally-sourced meal baskets in late November, each with nearly 30 pounds of produce, which is enough food for 8-10 people. The first Solidarity Harvest was in 2003, when we distributed 100 meals; in 2025, we distributed 1,675. Over 200 volunteers and over 100 organizations, including unions, faith organizations and other nonprofits were involved.

Solidarity Harvest began in 2003 in response to a landslide of mill closings that left thousands of workers without jobs. Since then, unions, farmers, faith communities, volunteer organizations, and businesses have come together each year to provide locally-grown and purchased food to laid-off workers and families who have hit hard times.

Labor

Labor Day

Food AND Medicine, alongside the Eastern Maine Labor Council, host an annual Labor Day Celebration, with food and speakers on Labor day

Civic Engagement

Canvassing

In 2025, we knocked over 3000 doors to oppose question 1 and support local municipal candidates. A strong field program, is key to electing people who will fight for low and working-class Mainers.

Legislative Breakfast

The annual Legislative Breakfast event is another way that we bring the low-income and working community in direct contact with our elected officials. Co-hosted with the Eastern Maine Labor Council, this event typically brings 8-10 state legislators from our region to discuss a number of topics in the current legislature that affect unions and low-income communities with those directly affected.

Housing

Housing Action Team

Food AND Medicine’s newest program Housing Action Team, launched in 2026. Maine’s housing crisis needs local groups taking action and advocating for affordable and efficient housing. The group meets monthly on the second Tuesday.

Resource fair

Our monthly resource fair brings together local providers to one space every month. Every Second Wednesday from 9-12 at the Bangor Public Library, people can come and receive information about local programs and organizations all at once.