Assistant Senate Majority Leader Jill Duson, D-Portland, worked as a school volunteer on Monday, Oct. 20, serving lunch to Lyman Moore Middle School students. The visit by Sen. Duson, who represents part of Portland, was an opportunity for the senator to see firsthand the impact of the universal free school meals program. She was greeted upon her arrival by PPS Superintendent Ryan Scallon and she also met with Moore Principal Darralynn Jones and Food Service staff. 

In 2021, with strong bipartisan support, the Maine Legislature enacted a law that made Maine one of the first states in the nation to ensure all public school students receive free breakfast and lunch. The legislation, which was fully implemented in the 2022-2023 school year, was designed to address childhood food insecurity, a significant issue in Maine. Also, by ensuring all students have access to nutritious meals, the law aimed to improve student health, concentration, and academic performance. In her two terms, Sen. Duson has championed the continuation of the program as a member of the Legislature’s budget committee and a leader in the Maine Senate.

“Growing up, my family had little money, but knew the healing power of a good meal,” said Sen. Duson. “Being able to continue Maine’s historic free school meals program is one of the greatest privileges of my work in Augusta, and I am so pleased to see it in action at home in Portland. Of course, none of it would be possible without the dedicated nutrition staff who make it happen every day in each of our schools. I know that with bellies full of the healthy food we served today, students will head back to the classroom ready to succeed with no need to worry about where tomorrow’s meal will come from.” 

“The free school meals program supports the Whole Child priority in the district’s Strategic Plan by ensuring that all our students have access to nourishing foods, allowing them to focus on learning,” said Superintendent Scallon. “We are grateful to Assistant Senate Majority Leader Duson for her steadfast support of this vital program and for taking the time to come into our school community to see firsthand its positive impact on our students.”

PPS Interim Food Service Director Tyler Guerin said, “Universal free meals are incredibly impactful — from reducing stigma to ensuring every student has equal access to nutritious food. Support like this from Sen. Duson helps keep this program available to all Maine students, and we truly appreciate it.”

The senator’s visit also comes on the heels of National School Lunch Week, Oct. 13-17. The theme of the week this year was: “Taste the World: Your School Lunch Passport,” which was about encouraging students to experience and appreciate global cuisines, fostering a sense of connection and understanding. At the Portland Public Schools, integrating a variety of healthy foods from different cultures is an on-going priority. The Oct. 20 menu included a meal designed by Maiz, a Colombian restaurant in Portland that partners with PPS to bring culturally relevant products to our school lunch menus, with a focus on local sourcing.

On the Oct. 20 menu, in addition to other offerings like hamburgers and pizza, were bean and cheese empanadas, sweet plantains and sofrito rice, served with a tomatillo salsa. Guerin said that Maiz sources the masa harina (corn dough) in the empanadas from Maine corn. 

Additionally, the senator provided Lyman Moore Middle School with information about the Honorary Student Page Program, which provides a unique learning opportunity for students to travel to the State House and participate in the legislative process, serving in the Senate Chamber as Honorary Pages when the Senate is in session. It is open to students in grades 3 through 12.

“It is always such a treat to have students from around Maine come to Augusta and see our work up close and help distribute documents around the Senate chamber during session,” said Sen. Duson. “We’ll be reconvening in January, and I hope to see more faces from our wonderful city of Portland!”

PHOTOS: Assistant Senate Majority Leader Jill Duson serves lunch with a smile on Oct. 20; The senator poses in the cafeteria of Lyman Moore Middle School with (left to right) PPS Interim Food Service Director Tyler Guerin, Samantha Dolan, FoodCorps, Arthur Gikas, cafeteria team leader, Food Service, Jean Goodson, Food Service staff, Peggy Connolly, Food Service staff, Lyman Moore Middle School Principal Darralyn Jones, and Superintendent Ryan Scallon; and the senator gets assistance in serving lunch from Board of Public Education member Ali Ali. On the lunch menu were empanadas, sweet plantains and sofrito rice.

The Portland Public Schools is Maine’s largest school district, with nearly 6,500 students, and it’s also the most diverse. About one-third of the district’s students come from homes where languages other than English are spoken—a total of 59 languages. Approximately 47 percent of the district’s students are white and 53 percent are students of color. More than half of all PPS students are economically disadvantaged.