Maine school officials on alert for potential school lunch supply shortages this fall Share Updated: 6:27 PM EDT Jul 26, 2021 Share Updated: 6:27 PM EDT Jul 26, 2021 Hide Transcript Show Transcript TO SERVE IN THE CAFETERIA. W-M-T-W'S NEWS- 8' PHIL HIRSCHKORN REPOR. TS (PHIL ON CAM OPEN) THE SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM IS PAID FOR BY THE U-S DEPARTMENTF O AGRICULTURE, BUT RUN LOCALLY, AND MAINE SCHOOL OFCIFIALS IN CHARGE OF PURCHASING ARE WORRIED ABOUT DISTRIBUTION BREAKDOWNS. (VO 1: TWO SHOT...LEWISTON SCHO) OL ALISA ROMAN IS PRESIDENT OF THE MAINE SCHOOL NUTRITION ASSOCIATION AND OVERSEES SCOLHO LUNCH FOR LEWISTO N, THE STATE'S SECOND LARGEST PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. (FOOD IN WAREHOUSE) ROMAN YSSA IF AND WHEN THERE'S A SHORTAGE OF CERTAIN FOODS, SHE'LL JUST ADJUST THE MENU. (SOT ALISA ROM, AN4:47) "WE'RE REQUIRED TO HAND OUT CERTAIN COMPONENTS - WHOLE GRAINS, FRUITS, VEGETABL -ES BUT IT DOESN'T SAY THAT YOU HAVE TO GIVE AN APPLE EVERDAY.Y SO, WE E AR ABLE TO PUT IN DIFFERENT FRUITS OR VEGETABLES OR USE LOCAL ITEMS.// " (VO 2: FOOD IN WAREHOUSE) HER GREATER CONCERN IS LOGISTICS...A NATIONAL SHORTAGE OF COMMERCIALLY- LICENSEDEL DIVERY DRIVER S. (SOT ALISA ROMAN, 6:47) "FIVE DAYS A WEEK, AND WE ARE NEEDING FOOD BETWEEN 6 AND 8 IN THE MORNING, AND THEY SIMPLY DO NOT HAVE T HE DRIVERS TO DRIVE THE TRACTOR- TRAILERS TO US OR THE PEOPLE IN THE WAREHOE US TO WORK OVERNIGHT SHIFT TO STOCK THE FOOD TO GET IT READY FOR THE TRUCKING." (VO 3: TWO SHOT) ANNA KORSEN IS ADVOCACY DIRECTOR FOR FULL PLAT ES FULL POTENTIALA , STATEWIDE NONPROFIT THAT WORKS TO STRENGTHEN CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS. (SOT ANNA KORSEN, 7:45:48) "PROVIDING MEALS AT NO COST TO ALL STUDENTS INCREASES EQUITY IN OUR SCHOOLS." (GFX: SOURCE FULL PLATES FULL POTENTIAL) 43% OF MAINE PUBLIC SCHOOL ST UDENTS RELY ON FREE SCOLHO LUNCH...THAT'S 80,000 PRE-K THROUGH 12TH GRADERS. (SCHOOL CAFETERIA) KORSEN SAYS GIVING FREE LUNCH TO ALL SCHOOL KIDS DURING THE PANDEMIC HELPED OVERCOME THE STIGMA OF BEING IN THE PROGRAM. (SOT ANNA KORSEN, 7:46:25) "THERE ARE ACTUALLY STUDIES THAT SHOW WHEN Y OU PROVIDE MEALS AT NO COST TO ALL STUDENTS THAT MORE CHILDREN ACTUALLY EAT THOSE MEALS, ESPECIALLY TH OSE CHILDREN THAT ARE EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY." (PHIL ON CAM CLOSE) THE U-S-D-A WILL PAY FOR FREE SCHOOL LUNCH FOR ALL PRE-K THROUGH 12TH GRADERS THIS COMING SCHOOL YEAR. AFTER THAT, A NEW áMAINEá LAW PROMISES TO CONT