Our work during the 131st Maine State Legislature

LD 1002: AN ACT TO REQUIRE AT LEAST A 30-MINUTE LUNCH PERIOD FOR ALL STUDENTS
Sponsored by Representative Dodge

Students do not have enough time to eat.  

• Research has shown that the last student in line has 2-3 minutes to eat their lunch. 
• Healthy choices like raw vegetables take longer to consume. 
• Not enough time to eat means more food waste. 

ABOUT THE BILL 
This bill would require Maine schools to allow at least 30 minutes to eat lunch as part of the National School Lunch  Program. It also directs districts to allow adequate time for recess and to schedule recess before lunch, a best  practice that encourages students to sit and eat lunch after fresh air and exercise. Districts are given the option to  opt-out if a 30 minute lunch period and recess before lunch doesn’t fit into their daily schedule. 

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LD 1183: AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A SCHOOL MEAL EQUIPMENT AND PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT FUND
Sponsored by Representative Salisbury 

Schools lack critical kitchen equipment. 

• Many schools lack critical kitchen equipment to provide nutritious meals to meet the needs of their students. 
• Schools frequently request funding from Full Plates to purchase large pieces of kitchen and cafeteria equipment.  The need for funding for these critical pieces of equipment is high and a small nonprofit can’t meet the need.  

ABOUT THE BILL  
This bill would establish a fund to support purchases of school kitchen and cafeteria equipment needed to provide  nutritious meals to Maine students, as well as funding to support medically necessary dietary restrictions. 

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LD 921: AN ACT TO IMPROVE THE LOCAL FOODS FUND FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS 
Sponsored by Senator Reny 

The Local Foods Fund is under-utilized.  

• A previous expansion in the Local Foods Fund resulted in a 350% increase in local food purchasing in schools. 
• Only 71 out of 217 school districts utilized the fund last year. 
• The current definition of processed food accepted for reimbursement through the fund leaves out many great  Maine products that could add value to school meals.  

ABOUT THE BILL  
This bill gives the Maine Department of Education the authority to create standards for allowable value-added and  processed Maine foods like bread, salsa, breaded local fish, and marinara sauce to be reimbursed through the Local  Foods Fund.  

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COALITION PARTNERS

Contact Full Plates’ Advocacy & Implementation Director Anna Korsen