Reducing the Impact of Hunger in our State

2022 saw a 13.5 percent rise in the cost of food the largest increase since 1979—in the face of record inflation and soaring prices for housing, utilities, and other expenses. Many of Maine’s food pantries and other hunger-relief partners across the state reported an increase in people seeking food assistance.

In response, nearly 600 partner organizations in Maine’s charitable food network distributed 29 million nutritious, culturally relevant meals. Mainers experiencing hunger were able to access healthy fresh produce like cucumbers, tomatoes, squash, and potatoes from over 90 Maine farms through our Mainers Feeding Mainers program. We also increased distribution of culturally relevant foods like cornmeal flour, red palm oil, and halal meats.