Maine SNAP-Ed provides free nutrition education services for low-income populations in eligible settings like schools, libraries, food pantries, childcare settings, grocery stores, workplaces, and more. The program aims to reach every community within the state of Maine to create accessible nutrition education opportunities for low-income Mainers. Using evidence-based curricula and multi-level community-based approaches, Maine SNAP-Ed helps to make balanced eating easy & accessible, regardless of budget.
In our state of Maine, SNAP-Ed is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by the Office for Family Independence (OFI) at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. Programming is implemented through a contract with the University of New England in partnership with local community organizations, like us, PBCHP!
Learn more about the statewide Maine SNAP-Ed program here!
Nutrition Education Services
Free for our community at all eligible sites!
Educational series can be conducted in-person, or virtual-live.
To view Maine SNAP-Ed's Menu of Services, click "Youth & Teens" or "Adults & Families" below.
Series titles will link to a brief one-page curriculum description, if available.
Growing Active Readers (formerly iGrow)
Food Smarts Kids
Cooking Matters for Kids
Cooking Matters for Teens
*Series available for parents/caregivers
Cooking Matters for Adults
Cooking Matters for Parents/Caregivers
Cooking Matters for Families
Cooking Matters @ the Store
Cooking Matters for
Childcare Professionals
In the Community
Connection to Resources
Policy Advocacy
Gardening Initiatives
Farmer's Market Promotion
Community Events
School Wellness Programs
Workplace Wellness
Public Outreach Efforts
Download Free Printables!
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Download and sharing options are available when expanded.
Upcoming Classes & Opportunites
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Meet your educator, Day!
Day Arnold, BSND, is one of 40 Maine SNAP-Ed nutrition educators appointed to counties across the state. She is passionate about nutrition as it affects mental health, sharing essential nutrition knowledge using trauma-informed principles, and creating a comfortable and supportive learning environment.
Please feel free to reach out with questions about SNAP-Ed programming, local food assistance programs, or nutrition resources.
Site Eligibility for
Direct Nutrition Education
Direct education is any nutrition education series (classes) conducted for any age group, in-person or virtually.
Automatically Eligible:
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Those reached through direct marketing to SNAP participants
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Parents who receive SNAP benefits on behalf of their children
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SNAP participants in a SNAP job readiness program
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Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sites
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Anyone eligible for WIC, TANF, or SSI
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Food banks, food pantries, or soup kitchens
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All Federally-qualified Healthcare Centers (FQHCs)
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Individuals and families residing in public housing
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Anyone referred by the DHHS/SNAP office
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CEP (Community Eligibility Provision) schools
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All Head Start programs, parents & employees
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All Fedcap sites
Must have a student population where at least
50% receive Free and Reduced Lunch.
If a school does not qualify based on Free and Reduced Lunch Rates and can prove that 50% of students are children from low-income households, please reach out to inquire about other methods of eligibility verification.
Must be a location that
meets Tier I specifications.
"Tier I daycare homes are located in low-income areas, or the daycare provider’s household income is at/below 200% of the federal poverty level."
Staff at eligible childcare/daycare sites are also eligible for adult direct education programming.
Any store that can prove that they receive an average of at least $50,000 of SNAP benefit redemptions per month
OR
Any store that can prove that, on average, they receive significant SNAP benefit redemptions per month compared to overall sales.
Any worksite, center, group, or venue that can show at least 50% of employees, clients, members, or patrons have a gross income at/below 200% of the federal poverty level.
All other eligibility determinations coincide with CACFP/SFSP Area Eligibility.
Please note that the following populations are not eligible for programming under the Maine SNAP-Ed grant:
People who are currently incarcerated
Residents of nursing homes
Full-time students attending college or university, unless eligible for SNAP
In accordance with federal civil rights laws and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Programs that receive federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and programs HHS directly operates are also prohibited from discrimination under federal civil rights laws and HHS regulations. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or who have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINTS INVOLVING USDA PROGRAMS USDA provides federal financial assistance for many food security and hunger reduction programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) and others. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) (found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office) or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: 1. mail: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA 1320 Braddock Place, Room 334, Alexandria, VA 22314; or 2. fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or 3. phone: (833) 620-1071; or 4. email: FNSCIVILRIGHTSCOMPLAINTS@usda.gov. For any other information regarding SNAP issues, persons should either contact the USDA SNAP hotline number at (800) 221-5689, which is also in Spanish, or call the state information/hotline numbers (click the link for a listing of hotline numbers by state); found online at: SNAP hotline. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
