Moving Towards Solutions Child Hunger in Maine Moving Towards Solutions

Our Mission Maine is currently gripped in a devastating childhood crisis; nearly half of school-aged children qualify for food programs. Full Plates Full Potential works with schools to unlock existing funding to get kids the food they need to grow and learn. Established in 2015 as a legislative task force, became a 501-c 3 in January 2018. We work with our partners: DOE Child Nutrition, GSGB, Preble St, Catholic Charities, Let’s Go, MCA, MEJP, and Snap-Ed

Our Partners Full Plates works with our Leadership Council Partners strengthening and expanding participation in these fully funded school nutrition programs by breaking down barriers that students and schools face. Established in 2015 as a legislative task force, became a 501-c 3 in January 2018. We work with our partners: DOE Child Nutrition, GSGB, Preble St, Catholic Charities, Let’s Go, MCA, MEJP, and Snap-Ed

That is equal to 82,000 children across our state That is equal to 82,000 children across our state! These kids come from families living off of $28,000 or less a year. Kids in school, age 4 or 5-18

* Percentage of students eligible for Free or Reduced-Price Meals

The Consequences of Food Insecurity Food insecurity for our students is unacceptable. Food insecurity impacts student cognitive, learning, health, and our long term economy. Providing more access to school meals will help alleviate this problem. Health: Chronic health conditions accumulate Cognitive Development: increased toxic stress with adverse childhood experiences Academically: delayed development, poorer concentration, learning difficulties Long-term economic consequences: smaller gains in math/reading and fall behind peers

Poverty & School Performance Barriers to getting nutritious meals everyday is creating an unequal learning environment In 2014 the Maine Education Policy Research Institute looked at poverty and achievement in Maine Public Schools. What they found is disturbing: Low Poverty Schools High Poverty Reading Proficiency, Grade 4 74% 64% Reading Proficiency, Grade 11 62% 32%

Universal pre-k, as more more children are starting school at earlier ages, we will have more of an opportunity to reach more kids with nutrition, and reducing barriers to accessing food will be even more critical. Becoming part of the early childhood conversation in Augusta and statewide

QUESTIONS? Contact Justin Alfond jalfond@fullplates.org 207-232-4187