Last Friday, January 10, Governor LePage vetoed five bills passed by the legislature last July. One of them was my student hunger bill, aimed at helping feed students during the summer who qualify for free or reduced lunch. There is lots of data showing how important nutrition is for children and education. Maine currently has 1 in 5 children under 18 who experiences hunger on a regular basis.
The USDA runs a program known as the Summer Food Service Program. The program is simple: in communities where 50% or more of students are eligible for free or reduced lunch, the USDA will pay for a summer food program to feed students when school is out. This bill would make the Summer Food Services Program an opt-out system while giving local control and options for schools.
I will be working with my legislative colleagues to override the Governor’s veto and work to feed hungry children.
