With recent uncertainty around federal SNAP benefits due to the government shutdown, I have been thinking a lot about food, and not just as calories or fuel, but as care. When students come to school hungry, their focus is pulled away from learning and toward a more basic question: Am I going to eat today? […]
school nutrition programs
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
International flavor featured as Westbrook celebrates National School Lunch Week
The district tries to have one or two international dishes per month to represent its diverse student body.
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Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Sebago Elementary School receives salad bar as part of nationwide initiative
Food Services Director Morgan Therriault credits the salad bar, provided by the Chef Ann Foundation, with reducing food waste.
Posted inLocal & State, Schools and Education
Maine’s lawsuit against the USDA is over $3 million for feeding assistance costs
U.S. District Judge John Woodcock is weighing whether to block the Department of Agriculture from withholding the funds to Maine over alleged Title IX violations, or if the case should be referred to the Federal Claims Court.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
USDA freeze impacting school nutrition staff, other grants
A Wednesday letter announcing the freeze said it would not impact federal feeding programs, but Maine DOE says it is unable to access funds for the staff who operate those programs.
Posted inLocal & State, Schools and Education
Three Cony students have vegetarian options added to the school lunch menu
Two juniors and a senior at Cony High School decided to take charge when they noticed some of their friends were not eating school lunches. Now there are more lunch options for everyone.
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, News, Schools and Education
Lewiston school team wins state cooking competition for 2nd year
Judges had little else but praise for all the dishes they tasted during the annual cooking competition and was a tough decision to name a winner.
Posted inLocal & State, Schools and Education
Is a half-hour lunch break best for Maine students?
Some say a proposed mandate for 30-minute lunch periods would be better for students’ nutrition, while others argue that it would create more opportunity for trouble.
Posted inAmerican Journal, Coastal Journal, Lakes Region Weekly, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster
Free school meals in Maine will end stigma, advocates say
Anna Korsen said the new state initiative, just the second in the nation, “has the potential to be the most important piece of child hunger policy” in the state.
Posted inOp-eds, Opinion
Commentary: Feeding all Maine kids at school is the right thing to do
L.D. 1679 addresses what is both a moral issue and a policy issue in a way that will save Maine millions.