Maine Department of Education supports Ending Hunger in Maine by 2030
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Hunger is often a symptom of a much bigger problem: poverty. The economic and social well-being of all Maine citizens is important, and it is negatively impacted by food insecurity and malnutrition. On average, 1 in 4 children in Maine is at risk for hunger, and 37% of them do not qualify for public assistance.
Built by an Americorps VISTA to fight poverty and end hunger for students in Maine, this webpage is intended for a broad audience. It is only through genuine school-family-community cooperation that we can create a safety net for our students and future neighbors. School staff will find a variety of resources meant to foster resilience and reduce ACEs related to financial insecurity for their students. Families will find resources that might help budgets stretch further or make life more comfortable so students can have what they need to grow and learn.
This project directly supports the missions of the Maine Student Safety Center (MSSC) and the Office of School and Student Supports. The Office of School and Student Supports (O3S) strives to ensure that Maine schools are inclusive, healthy, safe, and supportive communities where every student thrives. O3S endeavors to coordinate resources and programs that promote equitable, psycho-socially, physically, and environmentally healthy school communities for all. Similarly, MSSC recognizes that Maine’s most precious resources are our students; along with our school staffs and families, their mission work every day to assure a level of physical and emotional safety that all parents desire for their children.
Raising the next generation is a shared responsibility. When families, communities and schools work together, students are more successful and the entire community benefits- both now and in the long term. Thank you for helping Maine to be the best place to grow up!
Parents and Guardians
- Click here for Parent & Guardian Resources
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This resource hub is intended to provide guidance for community resources and services to inform families about supports available to the family. Many, but not all, of these services are intended to support low-income families.
- Resource Hub for Statewide Support & Services
- Free help starting a home garden container gardens & raised beds
- Online free/reduced meal application. If your school district is not listed, please contact them directly.
Teachers
- Click here for Teacher Resources
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- Project Based Learning program, teachers students to be aware of food insecurity issues in their neighborhood and work on solutions.
- Community Mapping identify community assets and potential partners in project planning, what people, physical structures, organizations, and institutions can be utilized to create meaningful service projects?
- Build sensitivity around general poverty, with sources
Maine Agriculture in the Classroom has many standard-aligned resources. MAITC Brochure & Remote Learning & Online Resources Guide & School Garden Curriculum Connections
Maine School Garden Network promotes and supports education gardens. Funding opportunities for school garden projects in Maine- widely applicable to outdoor learning, STEM education, and all will teach students to grow food, offering long term protection against food insecurity. General informational brochure here MSGN Brochure 3.0
Nutrition Education in the Classroom is offered through the University of Maine’s Cooperative Extension and Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) for schools meeting the threshold for free/reduced lunch. New Youth All Classes
Most families with children in Maine qualify for SNAP.
- SNAP Brochure for more information
- Encourage families to Apply online
- Phone, Fax and Paper applications also available: 855-797-4357
PTA & Community
- Click here for PTA & Community Resources
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Salad bars increase daily access to fruits and vegetables in schools, they are a great way to utilize school garden veggies and let kids taste what they’ve grown, and they can be free to your school through a Salad Bars to Schools grant. You can encourage your district to introduce a salad bar into your food service program. Resources
Including Farm to School wording in Wellness Plans is a concrete way to strengthen local food supply networks (avoiding crisis when supply chains are threatened) and invest back into the local community- reducing food insecurity and improving access for people across the economic spectrum. Farm to Child Nutrition
School Nutrition programs are the most cost effective way of reducing food insecurity for students. Find more information here
Learn more about Food Systems- bridge the gap between community food sources and your school. Help students be aware of their place on the food map, and how they can make healthier choices for themselves, their communities, and our environment. Nourish Food System Map
If you are in a low-income, low-access area, please consider creative ways to improve access to food for your neighbors! Here is a toolkit with recommended best practices, legal resources, and case studies.
Here is a model school wellness plan that includes language about supporting farm-to-school activities, school gardens, and learning about local agriculture and regional foods. Example Wellness
Administrators
- Click here for Administrator Resources
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Support your food services folks and your local food supply chains by creating a group invested in farm-to-school initiatives. FTS-Planning Guide
Here is a model school wellness plan that includes language about supporting farm-to-school activities, school gardens, and learning about local agriculture and regional foods. Example Wellness
Maine School Garden Network promotes and supports education gardens. Funding opportunities for school garden projects in Maine- widely applicable to outdoor learning, STEM education, and all will teach students to grow food, offering long term protection against food insecurity. https://www.msgn.org/grants/ General informational brochure here MSGN Brochure 3.0
Nutrition Education in the Classroom is offered through the University of Maine’s Cooperative Extension and Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) for schools meeting the threshold for free/reduced lunch. EFNEP outcomes
In a time that is emphasizing the importance of sustainable living, responsible consumerism, and self-reliance, there is a solid argument for reintroducing or revamping consumer science classes. FCS_STEM
Promoting positive community norms and creating an effective way to assist students in need are both central to school and community wellness. While these resources don’t specifically address food insecurity, they are a great lens from which to approach food policies. Incorporating wellness language into community norms and student assistance models is also a pragmatic approach to fostering genuine connections and a sense of caring. Student Assistance & Promoting Positive Community Norms
- Build sensitivity around general poverty, with sources
- Resources to start school gardens
- Resources to plant fruit trees at your school
Support Staff & SROs
- Click here for Support Staff & SRO Resources
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- Build sensitivity around general poverty, with sources
- Resources to start school gardens
- Resources to plant fruit trees at your school
Here is a model school wellness plan that includes language about supporting farm-to-school activities, school gardens, and learning about local agriculture and regional foods. Example Wellness
Food Authorities
- Click here for Food Authority Resources
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Make the most of USDA programs:
- Free & Reduced Lunches
- School Breakfast Program- Please consider championing “after the bell” options
- Summer Food Service Program
- After School Snack Service
- Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program
Schools’ wellness plans can include:
- farm-to-school activities,
- school gardens,
- learning about local agriculture and regional foods.
- Example Wellness plan
Resources to plant fruit trees at your school
Any school participating in NSLP can apply for a salad bar