Educators say free meals have changed attitudes in Maine’s school cafeterias

By Robbie Feinberg, Maine Public
August 26, 2022

When the pandemic upended schools two years ago, the federal government took the step of providing universal school meal waivers nationwide, in effect making meals free for every child. This fall, those waivers are ending. But a few states, including Maine, have decided to continue providing free meals to every public school student.

Local officials say that has created some challenges — but also changed attitudes within lunchrooms across the state, for the better.