Knox County Food Council features the Department of Education & USDA Rural Development

May 9, 2023, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Knox County Food Council will host a virtual presentation by Rebekah Sousa, food security champion of the Maine School Safety Center, a division of the Maine Department of Education (MDOE), Tuesday, May 9, from 5 to 6 p.m. Rebekah will talk about the significant impact of food insecurity on growth and development, school climate- including behavioral regulation, attendance, learning, and engagement. Information from Child Nutrition Services, also a division of MDOE, will be shared to maximize the opportunity for collaboration and synergy in the effort to end childhood hunger in Maine. Rebekah will be joined by Rhiannon Hampson, State Director and Morgan Hotham, Community Outreach Coordinator of USDA Maine Rural Development.

Area school staff will be invited to attend. Schools are already the 2nd greatest source of student anti-hunger programs, following the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Family-school-community partnerships are essential for helping students achieve their potential. Local food organizations will be asked to share a 1-3 minute overview of services and resources available to students and families. Hopefully, this will also serve as a networking opportunity between schools and community organizations, a starting point for collaborative efforts and synergy.

The presentation will be followed by a Q&A with the presenters and an open discussion.

For more information about the Maine Department of Education, visit their website at https://www.maine.gov/doe/safety/foodsecurity or https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/.

How to join

All are welcome to attend and may receive the Zoom meeting information by registering here online.

About Knox County Food Council
Maine Coast Heritage Trust is a founding member of the Knox County Food Council, a community-based coalition that formed in 2019 to promote a more resilient food system in Knox County, Maine. The Council hosts public Zoom meetings from 5 to 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month.