Maine Food Assistance: Ensuring No Child Goes Hungry
In Maine, 179,680 people face hunger, and 45,790 of them are children. Hunger doesn't take a summer break, and many families struggle to provide enough nutritious food when school is out.
Find Maine Food Assistance Near You
For over 40 years, Good Shepherd Food Bank has partnered with more than 500 hunger relief organizations to eliminate hunger in local Maine communities. Their Youth and Family Initiatives focus on meeting the nutritional needs of children during critical times: after school, on weekends, and during summer vacations. They collaborate with nearly 200 public schools, early childhood centers, and college campuses to provide consistent access to nutritious food for students and their families.
Operating in Cumberland County, The Locker Project connects food-insecure children with nourishing food to improve their learning capacity, health, and future. Distributing staples and fresh food to children and their families at more than 30 preschools, schools, and neighborhood sites, they strive to be low-barrier, stigma-free, and environmentally responsible.
Dedicated to ending childhood food insecurity in Maine, Full Plates Full Potential offers grantmaking, personalized assistance, and a comprehensive resource library with downloadable toolkits. They advocate for policy changes at state and federal levels to strengthen communities and food systems.
Located inside the Preble Street Food Security Hub, this pantry plays a key role in combating food insecurity by providing approximately 20,000-30,000 nourishing meals to hundreds of families and individuals each month. They offer fresh food along with non-perishable staples.
Maine Community Food Pantries
Across Maine, numerous community food pantries operate to support local families. For instance, the Camden Area Christian Food Pantry and the Caribou Bread of Life Soup Kitchen provide essential food services to their communities.
Maine Farmers' Markets Accepting Food Assistance
Farmers' markets are a fantastic resource for fresh, local produce. Many farmers' markets in Maine accept food assistance programs, making healthy, fresh food accessible to more families:
SNAP/EBT: Many markets accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. Look for markets that display the "We Accept EBT" sign.
WIC: The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Farmers' Market Nutrition Program provides coupons for fresh fruits and vegetables.
Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program: This program provides low-income seniors with coupons that can be exchanged for eligible foods at farmers' markets.
For a list of participating farmers' markets, visit the Maine Federation of Farmers' Markets.
Community Gardens in Maine
Community gardens are another excellent way for families to access fresh produce. These gardens provide space for individuals to grow their own food and often have educational programs to teach gardening skills. Participating in a community garden can be a rewarding way to ensure access to fresh, nutritious food.
https://www.harpswell.maine.gov/community-garden
https://www.portlandmaine.gov/514/Community-Gardens
https://www.auburnmaine.gov/Pages/Government/Community-Gardens
https://biddefordcommunitygardens.org/
St. Mary's Nutrition Center (formerly Lots to Gardens)
Farmers Market and Food Access and Facebook
Additional Resources for Food Assistance
To learn more about food insecurity and available resources, visit these helpful links:
Food Access and Security - St. Mary's Nutrition Center Food Access Information page
Local Support Contacts
If you need more assistance, the following local organizations are here to help:
Good Shepherd Food Bank: Call 207-782-3554 or visit Good Shepherd Food Bank
Salvation Army Food Pantry: Call 207-774-6304 or visit Salvation Army Food Pantry
Augusta Food Bank: Call 207-622-5225 or visit Augusta Food Bank
Trinity Jubilee Center: Call 207-782-5700 or visit Trinity Jubilee Center for meals, groceries, job applications, warmth, empowerment, hope
St. Mary’s Nutrition Center: Call 207-513-3848 or visit St. Mary’s Nutrition Center
We believe that every child deserves access to nutritious food, regardless of the season. We are committed to supporting our community by providing resources and information to ensure no child goes hungry. Join us in spreading the word about vital resources to help make a difference in the lives of families throughout Maine.
If you or someone you know could benefit from personalized nutrition support, our dietitians are here to help. Learn more about our counseling services and how we can work together to foster well-being for you and your family. Contact us today to get started!
