Commission to End Student Hunger holds kick-off meeting

Posted: March 18, 2016 | Senator Alfond

Group of experts, advocates focused on how to increase access to nutritious food

Sen. Justin Alfond, D-Portland, at the Bangor High School cafeteria in 2014.

Sen. Justin Alfond, D-Portland, at the Bangor High School cafeteria in 2014.

AUGUSTA — The Commission to End Student Hunger held its inaugural meeting in Augusta on Friday, beginning its work to find effective ways for the state to fight food insecurity and ensure all Maine children have regular access to nutritious food.

“Today in Maine, more than 86,000 students qualify for free- or reduced-priced lunch. Children cannot reach their full potential when their bellies are empty in class,” said Senate Democratic Leader Justin Alfond of Portland, the commission’s co-chair. “Today, we began our work to determine the best ways for the state to be an effective partner in local efforts to fight hunger, whether that’s leveraging available federal dollars or expanding access to summer food sites.”

Without school breakfast or lunch programs, the availability of nutritious food falls dramatically, making summer one of the hardest times for food-insecure children. One of the commission’s first priorities is to expand access to summer food sites so that no Maine child has to go hungry when school is closed.

The Commission has 11 members, including school nutrition directors, school district superintendents, faith-based food pantries and nonprofits such as the Good Shepherd Food Bank. It was created as a result of a bill by Sen. Alfond that was enacted by the Legislature last year. Its creation was one of several recommendations by the Task Force to End Student Hunger, another effort led by Alfond, which concluded its work in early 2015.

###