Food Assistance

SNAP/Food Supplement Program is administered by the Maine Office for Family Independence and provides a monthly benefit to help low-income households purchase nutritious food. This page includes information about eligibility and applying for SNAP/Food Supplement benefits as well as other programs and services for SNAP/Food Supplement-eligible families including electronic benefits transfer (EBT), the Food Supplement Employment and Training Program (FSET), and Maine SNAP-Ed program.

WIC Nutrition Program provides food benefits, breastfeeding support, and nutrition information services for low-income Maine residents who are pregnant or parents of infants and children up to age six. This page includes information about WIC services, eligibility, and applying for benefits.

School Food Programs the Maine Department of Education oversees several food and nutrition programs to fight hunger and provide nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day.  

• Free and reduced cost school lunches: The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential childcare institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day.
• School Breakfast Program provides breakfast to children participating in structured educational settings.   
• Summer Food Service Program provides nutritious meals during the summer months when school is not in session.  
• After School Snack Service provides after school snacks to children participating in structured educational programs.  

• Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides aid to child and adult care institutions and family day care homes for the provision of nutritious foods that contribute to the wellness, healthy growth, and development of young children, and the health and wellness of older adults and those 18 years and older who are chronically impaired and/or disabled.  The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program provides a grant to elementary schools that are 50% or greater free and reduced. The funds are used to provide fresh fruit and vegetables to children outside of the school meals, often served as a snack.   

Maine’s Nutrition Services Program for Older Adults provides delicious, nutritionally balanced meals to older adults in Maine, both at community dining sites and through home delivered meals services. This page includes information on how to access these services as well as additional nutrition and food-security resources for older adults.

Food Pantries are available in several communities across Maine. You can find these resources through 211 Maine.   

Good Shepherd Food Bank Food Map is a database to find food and hunger relief agencies throughout Maine.