Full Plates Full Potential was awarded $10 million by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to increase the use of local ingredients in school meals and ensure school nutrition professionals have the resources and equipment needed to use them. $8.4 million will go directly to Maine school districts and partners working to strengthen farm and sea-to-school connections and get more local foods onto kids’ plates.

Through this grant, Full Plates aims to support multiple parts of the farm and sea-to-school system:

School Food Professionals

Local Growers, Producers, Processors, Distributors, and other Food System Partners

About the USDA Healthy Meals Incentives School Food System Transformation Challenge: These sub-grants support collaborative projects between school districts, food producers, suppliers, distributors, and/or community partners to stimulate the creation of a resilient, equitable, and nutritious school food system. Learn more.

About Full Plates Full Potential: Full Plates is a nonprofit that works to strengthen child nutrition programs as critical tools for ending childhood food insecurity in Maine. We provide funding and assistance to meal programs that feed kids now, while also advocating for lasting systems change and working towards a future where Full Plates does not need to exist. Learn more.