Sen. Baldacci serves lunch to students at the James F. Doughty School in Bangor for School Meals Celebration Week

BANGOR ­­— Sen. Joe Baldacci, D-Bangor, toured the James F. Doughty School in Bangor on Oct. 27 for School Meals Celebration Week. Senator Baldacci served lunch to all four lunch periods at the school, and learned more about how the free school meal program is helping students in Bangor and Hermon.

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to tour the James F. Doughty School for Meals Celebration Week,” said Sen. Baldacci. “We in the Legislature have the opportunity to hear about the experiences and problems facing our constituents on a daily basis. Now that we have expanded the state’s school meal program, it was great having the opportunity to meet with students and see firsthand how our work has impacted our communities.”

Last year, the Maine Legislature funded an expansion of the state’s school meals program, to ensure all Maine public school students have access to free school meals, regardless of their family’s income. Maine is only the second state in the country to offer universal free school meals. Additionally, the Legislature created and then expanded the Local Foods Fund, which helps schools buy produce, dairy and protein from local growers and producers.