School Meals for All Bill Passes Maine House & Senate!

WE DID IT!

The most significant piece of child hunger legislation ever considered by the Maine Legislature has passed both chambers with incredible bipartisan support! On Monday, June 7 the Senate voted unanimously in favor of SCHOOL MEALS FOR ALL (LD 1679), and the House resoundingly passed the legislation 117-26 on Thursday, June 9.

While there are still critical steps to enacting this legislation, it’s worth celebrating that we’ve come this far. We wouldn’t be on the precipice of Maine becoming the first state in the nation to guarantee SCHOOL MEALS FOR ALL without our supporters taking action by donating to the cause, signing our petition, contacting their legislators, and encouraging friends, family, and colleagues to do the same. This win is a result of the momentum we built TOGETHER.

WHAT’S NEXT?

The legislative process continues with the bill going next to the legislature’s Appropriations Committee where they’ll take the crucial next step of determining whether or not to fund the bill. Should it be funded, the bill will be sent to the Governor’s desk, where we expect Governor Mills to sign it into law. For a list of legislators on the Appropriations Committee and steps you can take to encourage them to fund this game changing legislation, visit our TAKE ACTION page. 

WE’RE JUST GETTING STARTED!

While the enactment of this legislation would be a huge step in the right direction, there will remain lots to do in ensuring that no Maine child grows up hungry. Full Plates has always worked to connect Maine kids with free school meals by removing the barriers to access, but cost is just one of many. Key to the successful implementation of this first-in-the-nation legislation is providing schools and communities around the state with the technical and financial assistance needed to support the infrastructure required of this monumental effort. We hope you will join us in continuing to fight for a permanent end to child food insecurity in Maine.