Policy & Advocacy

Full Plates is changing the system!

To achieve our mission of ending childhood food insecurity in Maine, we advocate for state and federal policies that will create lasting change for Maine kids. Here are some of our successes and what we’re working on now.

School Meals for All

We worked with our advocacy partners and the Maine State Legislature to ensure that no child goes hungry at school ever again by passing a School Meals for All law. After School Meals for All was signed into law in July of 2021, we successfully advocated for full funding which was received in April of 2022. This law will help feed all Maine kids starting in the 2022-23 school year!

Local Food Fund

We’ve secured funding for and helped expand the Local Foods Fund. This fund incentivizes school nutrition departments to purchase locally grown or produced foods.

Federal Policy

Congress is considering an important investment in child nutrition programs at the federal level that we’re advocating for too. Contact your legislators and urge them to prioritize ending childhood food insecurity through the Build Back Better Act. Learn more.

Implementation

Policy is only effective when it’s put into practice. Through our community partnerships and our grantmaking, we continue to support the implementation of key policy changes and best practices, such as Breakfast After the Bell and Afterschool Meals.