1. Moving Towards Solutions
Child Hunger in Maine
Moving Towards Solutions

2. 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 We work with our partners: DOE Child Nutrition, GSGB, Preble St, Catholic Charities, Let’s Go, MCA, MEJP, and Snap-Ed

3. 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 We work with our partners: DOE Child Nutrition, GSGB, Preble St, Catholic Charities, Let’s Go, MCA, MEJP, and Snap-Ed

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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%

8. 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

9. QUESTIONS?
Contact Justin Alfond