July 13, 2021
Maine Gov. Janet Mills signed the updated state budget into law last month, which included funding to create statewide universal school meals beginning in the 2022-23 school year. "When every child can access a free meal at school, there's no shame or stigma associated with taking a meal," said Diane Pratt-Heavner, spokesperson for the School Nutrition Association, which also is urging for universal school meal legislation at the federal level.