I support the funding of L.D. 1682: An Act to Create the Maine Experiential Education Program. As a former community partner to Portland Public Schools, I have seen the incredible impacts on students’ learning engagement and retention, and the investment it grows in children and families to care for their local living environment and take […]
Letter to the editor: Closing gaps between Portland students is essential, not extra
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Schools have become the epicenter for all critical human needs and social services. As a food justice advocate, I know this well.
Food-insecure students rely on school meals for more than 50 percent of their daily calories, yet federal reimbursements for meals are at most $3.53 per meal. On this income, federal nutrition programs are expected to be a self-sustaining business that provides two to three meals a day, requires intricate equipment and employs a staff force. And we expect food quality, choice and local sourcing. This unsustainable example is not even one of the issues addressed in this year’s proposed budget.