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Nirav Shah unveils plan to end child hunger in Maine
The proposal calls for expanded school meal access, stronger SNAP support and emergency funding to combat food insecurity among Maine children.
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Malvika Choudhary - Tue, 26, May 2026
- 15:12 EDT
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Dr Nirav Shah. / Shah for Maine
Indian American physician Nirav Shah unveiled a statewide proposal aimed at ending childhood hunger in Maine, describing food insecurity as a part of his campaign for governor of Maine.
The proposal, titled “Ending Childhood Hunger in Maine: A Plan to Feed Kids and Strengthen Maine Families,” outlines measures including emergency investments through the state’s rainy day fund, expanded school and summer meal programs, broader SNAP access, and increased support for local food producers.
Also Read: Nirav Shah backed by Maine Gun Safety Coalition for governor
Shah, the former director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and former principal deputy director at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the initiative aligns with the priorities he laid out when launching his gubernatorial campaign.
“When I launched this campaign for Governor, I laid out five priorities that would guide our vision for the state: feeding kids, fixing housing, funding health care, fueling our economy, and fighting back when Washington hurts Maine families,” Shah said.. “I chose ‘feeding kids’ first for a reason.”
Today, I’m proud to unveil our capstone policy plan of the primary: ending childhood hunger in Maine.
— Nirav D. Shah (@nirav_maine) May 26, 2026
Visit https://t.co/Eqb2GFNcTA to read the full plan. pic.twitter.com/4qMebAifPY
According to his campaign, one in five Maine children lives in a food-insecure household, which Shah described as the highest child food insecurity rate in New England.
The plan calls for directing a targeted portion of Maine’s Budget Stabilization Fund toward combating childhood hunger and expanding grant programs for school districts and communities facing the highest rates of food insecurity. It also proposes increased support for school pantry, backpack and weekend meal programs, along with rural food delivery initiatives inspired by Meals on Wheels.
Another major component focuses on expanding Maine’s farm-to-school and fish-to-school programs by increasing the use of Maine-grown and Maine-made food in school meal systems. Shah said reducing procurement barriers could help more local farmers, fishermen and small food producers participate in the state’s Local Foods Fund program.
The proposal also seeks to strengthen SNAP access by simplifying enrollment processes and improving coordination between nutrition assistance, MaineCare and child care programs. Outreach efforts would target immigrant communities, rural families and underserved populations.
“For many children across Maine, school breakfast and lunch provide the most reliable meals they receive all week,” Shah said, adding that the state must ensure access to healthy food year-round.
The childhood hunger proposal is the latest in a series of policy plans released by Shah during his campaign. Earlier this year, he introduced “Maine’s Affordable Future” agenda focused on lowering housing, energy, childcare and health care costs.
In March, Shah also released an elder care plan aimed at helping more Mainers age in place and expanding transportation access for older residents.
Shah launched his campaign in October 2025 after gaining statewide recognition for leading Maine’s COVID-19 response as head of the Maine CDC.
“My vision for Maine is simple: a state where no child and no family go hungry,” Shah said. “A state where every child, regardless of where they live or what challenges their family may be facing, can count on healthy food and the chance to thrive.”
Maine’s Democratic and Republican gubernatorial primaries are scheduled for June 9, 2026, while the general election will be held in November 2026.
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