School districts will continue to offer lunches at no cost, but changes in eligibility for food assistance could result in less federal funding in the future.
food insecurity
Classes that teach Maine’s food insecure how to cook are under grave threat
Federal funding for the classes was eliminated by Congress. To keep these classes going, Mainers will need to ‘Put a little more grit into the game.’
Trump’s tax, spending law will slash food assistance for thousands of Mainers
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act will force Maine to cover tens of millions in costs for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — costs that Gov. Janet Mills says the state ‘simply cannot absorb.’
Federal cuts leave Maine food pantries with empty shelves and more need than ever
Overcoming federal cuts in food assistance will be a challenge for food pantries, and could be an insurmountable task for smaller organizations that serve especially vulnerable populations, hunger prevention advocates say.
USDA food cuts come as number of hungry Mainers keeps rising
As Good Shepherd Food Bank braces for a huge loss in food provided by the USDA, Sen. Angus King is calling for distributions to be reinstated and answers on why deliveries are being reduced.
King, Pingree demand answers on why USDA cut local food programs
Sen. Angus King joins dozens of Senate colleagues in calling for the funding to be restored.
USDA cuts programs that supply local food to schools, food banks
The federal agency canceled contracts to continue providing food and funding to Maine schools and nonprofits for 3 more years. The change comes as one in eight Mainers — about 180,000 people — faces hunger. That includes roughly 45,000 children, about 20% of the state’s total population under 18.
Oxford Helping Hands Food Pantry closing
The organization, which relied on donations to purchase food, has been unable to keep pace with demand for services.
Cutting funding for school meals would be devastating for Maine children, advocates say
House Republicans are considering cutting the number of schools that qualify for free breakfast and lunch. The move could have a huge impact in Maine, which has the highest rate of childhood hunger in New England.
Jay Baptist Church opens new food pantry
The new food pantry at the Jay Baptist Church is open to all in need.