Being an active member of a thriving local food system is a dream come true for Kelly LaCasse, co-owner at The Maine Meal. Kelly’s passion for food equity, food justice, and food system education is infectious and this drive is apparent whether she is advocating at the local or statewide level.
Mark and Kelly both grew up in central Maine but share a passion for adventure. Together since 1997 when they fell in love on a beach volleyball court in Maine, they have followed their dreams all over the United States and abroad. Along the way, their passion for food and culture became a driving force as they gained knowledge and experience through formal education and professional experiences.
This 22 year journey included living in California while Mark studied culinary arts and Kelly studied film and sound engineering… and playing a lot of beach volleyball. They lived in the Hudson Valley of New York while Mark continued his culinary arts degree and Kelly studied holistic nutrition with hands on experience in the New England regional food system. In the summers they worked close to home at Lakewood Theater and Restaurant, set on a beautiful lake in central Maine, where they began to learn about the thriving Maine food system.
They spent three years working abroad in Nicaragua running an eco-resort. Here Mark and Kelly had the opportunity to immerse themselves into the fusion of Caribbean and Latin American cultures. Fueled by well-rounded life experiences, a multitude of inspiring people that they met along the way, and grounded by the strength of their families, Mark and Kelly returned home to Maine to raise a family and start their own business.
