Good Shepherd Food Bank is proud to support the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s recent announcement of a significant initiative to address food insecurity in Maine. The USDA plans to purchase $230 million in nutritious food—including fresh seafood, fruits, vegetables, and beans—for distribution through vital programs like The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). This initiative will provide essential food to food pantries across the state, helping to nourish families and individuals who are facing food insecurity.
Ensuring that all Mainers have access to nutritious food is a community-wide effort. It requires collaboration among government agencies, agricultural producers, nonprofits, and local communities. The USDA’s investment not only supports those facing hunger, but also provides support to American farmers, many of whom are the very people who grow the fresh food that will now reach Maine families in need.
Currently, nearly 190,000 Mainers are living with food insecurity. With the USDA’s commitment, the nearly 200,000 people in Maine who face challenges accessing enough healthy food will be able to benefit from this generous investment, providing them with nutritious options that will help them thrive.
We are grateful to the USDA for providing an example of how collective action can help ensure everyone in Maine has access to the food they need to thrive.