By Gillian Graham

Staff Writer

Like many educators, Maureen McMullin worried her students weren’t getting enough to eat during long weekends and vacations.

After reading about a program in Scarborough that sends food home with students, the principal of Fairfield School in Saco knew there was a way to help families who struggle to put food on the table on days when students don’t receive free meals at school.

“When you have long weekends and vacations, you worry if (students) are getting the food they need,” McMullin said.

McMullin has worked with a Hannford Bros. employee since last Christmas to provide donated food to Saco families. Before each long weekend or vacation, 35 Fairfield School families receive reusable grocery bags full of fresh and canned food.

School employees put together recipes for meals such as southwest turkey chili or pasta dishes, and Hannaford provides all the food – including cooking oil and spices – needed to cook each recipe, McMullin said.

“We try to make it simple yet nutritious as well,” she said of the recipes.

Beyond meals, the bags include healthy snacks such as juice, raisins and applesauce. Hannaford Bros. Spokesman Matt Paul said the supermarket chain became involved with Fairfield after being approached by McMullin. Hannaford supplies the school 25 to 30 pounds of food before each long weekend or vacation. Paul said the arrangement is a unique pilot program that supports Hannaford’s commitment to relieving hunger in Maine communities.

McMullin said the school has seen as “incredible” response from the families that receive food.

“They’re very, very grateful. When you hear a lot of difficulties the families are facing, it feels good to help,” McMullin said. “We want to support our families in any way we can.”

Patty Macomber, who has four children, including two at Fairfield, said she picked up food bags for the first time this week. As a single mother, this type of program allows her to make sure her children are full, she said.

“It makes a big difference. Food stamps only go so far. By the last week of the month, we’re struggling,” Macomber said. “I think it’s a wonderful program for families.”

Macomber said she was “shocked but very happy” to see staples such as pasta, sauce, rice, juice boxes, cereal and vegetables overflowing from shopping bags. Her children like the food and her daughter is proud it comes from her school, she said.

“I just think it’s great. There are a lot of kids out there who need it,” Macomber said.

Fran Poisson, kitchen manager at Fairfield and Young schools, sees the need firsthand. She said it is easy to tell which children aren’t getting enough food at home. During the summer, she cooks breakfast and lunch every day at Ledgewood, an apartment complex with subsidized housing.

“Parents are struggling. The income is not there like it used to be,” Poisson said. “It’s nice to see kids eat.”

To make sure all kids are getting a nutritious start to the day, Fairfield School this year implemented a universal breakfast program, McMullin said. Each morning students are able to have breakfast with their friends in their classrooms.

“The results we saw were pretty dramatic,” McMullin said. “It’s a great way for them to start the day.”

The school nurse has reported fewer students complaining of headaches or stomach aches. Teachers say students can focus better throughout the day, McMullin said.

McMullin said the food programs involve the entire school staff. Staff members help pack food bags and talk to families who can benefit from the programs.

“It’s been embraced by the entire school community,” McMullin said.

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.