Hannaford partners with Full Plates Full Potential to fund "School Meal Mobile" delivery vans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                

May 17, 2021

 

Hannaford partners with Full Plates Full Potential to fund "School Meal Mobile" delivery vans 

 

Additional vans in 3 Maine school districts will open 11 new meal sites and serve an estimated 1,220 additional students per day

 

Portland, ME – The Maine-based nonprofit organization Full Plates Full Potential announced that with a generous contribution from the Hannaford Supermarkets Fuel Kids at School initiative, they have awarded brand new “School Meal Mobile” delivery vans to three deserving school districts. These vans will be put to immediate use ensuring students are fed during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The three districts receiving vans are Lewiston Public Schools; MSAD 58, serving Phillips, Avon, Kingfield, and Strong; and RSU 12, serving the Sheepscot Valley. Collectively, the addition of these vans will allow these three districts to open 11 new meal sites and serve an estimated 1,220 additional students per day. 

 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has spotlighted the important role transportation plays in ensuring all kids have consistent access to nutritious meals,” said Justin Strasburger, Executive Director of Full Plates Full Potential. “But even before the pandemic, school nutrition directors—particularly those from Maine’s many rural areas—viewed transportation as critical to meeting the needs of their communities. We are thrilled that Hannaford recognized this need and stepped up to fill the gap.”

 

A steadfast advocate for increasing food security in Maine, and longtime supporter of Full Plates Full Potential, Hannaford Supermarkets was quick to respond to the rising need for transportation support.

 

“Providing nutritious food for children at risk of going hungry is crucial, but not enough; we have to ensure children have access to that food too. Fuel Kids at School is built on the idea that we need to get food to kids, in their schools, in their homes, in their neighborhoods,” said Eric Blom, Hannaford spokesman. “Thanks to the innovation of Full Plates Full Potential and this new initiative, we are driving that concept even further into the community, providing Maine kids with the help they need to grow, thrive, and build our state’s future.”

 

Full Plates Full Potential & Hannaford launched the Fuel Kids at School Van Grant in March and received 30 applications. In addition to the custom wrapped van, districts received insulated cooling blankets, and a cash award of $5,000 to support maintenance, insurance, and registration costs.

 

"This is a dream come true!!” Said MSAD 58 school nutrition director Dora York, “Participation is so low when our kids have to come pick up food in our small, rural district. Our whole summer food program was hinging on this. Now I can really start to think about all of the possibilities!"

 

"This is not only good news for this year, but for the future as well,” Lewiston Public Schools school nutrition director Alisa Roman added. “Last summer, we spent $58,000 on commercial vehicle rentals. This is going to be such a big help serving our over 30 meal sites."

 

Mike Flynn, school nutrition director for RSU 12, agreed. "At RSU 12, 100% of the students are rural which creates limited access to transportation, healthy food on a regular basis, and partnerships with area services. With our School Meal Mobile we will be able to increase and improve services for remote learners and for all students during non-school sessions.”

 

Both Hannaford and Full Plates Full Potential are confident that these recent efforts will serve as a model for ongoing and sustainable change as they continue to address childhood hunger in Maine. 

 

 

About Full Plates Full Potential – Full Plates Full Potential is on a mission to end child food insecurity Maine by maximizing participation in USDA sponsored child nutrition programs. Across the state, nearly 100,000 kids rely on these meals each and every day. Full Plates provides technical and financial assistance to schools and community organizations to help feed kids now, while advocating for systemic changes necessary to ensure that all Maine’s kids have consistent access to nutritious meals. For more information, visit fullplates.org.

 

About Hannaford Supermarkets – Hannaford Supermarkets, based in Scarborough, Maine, operates 183 stores in the Northeast. Stores are located in Maine, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Hannaford employs nearly 30,000 associates. Additional information can be found at Hannaford.com. 

 

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