SMCC is expanding its ability to provide nutritious food to students thanks to a generous investment from Hannaford Supermarkets through its Fuel Kids at School initiative.
The investment includes a new freezer for the College’s Captain’s Cupboard food pantry on the South Portland Campus, increasing its capacity to store and distribute frozen foods and helping ensure students have access to a greater variety of nutritious options.
The new equipment is part of a $382,000 investment by Hannaford to strengthen food access programs across Maine’s colleges and universities, including all seven of Maine’s community colleges.
SMCC President Kristen Miller said the investment reflects the importance of addressing students’ basic needs as part of the College’s commitment to student success.
“At SMCC, we know that helping students succeed means supporting them both inside and outside the classroom,” Miller said. “When students are worried about where their next meal will come from, it becomes that much harder to focus on their education. This generous support from Hannaford will help us remove some of those barriers and ensure more students have access to the resources they need to reach their goals. We are incredibly grateful for this partnership and Hannaford’s continued commitment to our students and communities.”
The Captain’s Cupboard, operated through SMCC’s Advocacy Resource Center, provides food and other essential resources to students experiencing food insecurity. The pantry is an important part of the College’s efforts to address basic needs and create an environment where students can focus on their academic and career goals.
Ellen Culberson, SMCC’s Director of Social Services, said the addition of the freezer represents a significant improvement in the pantry’s ability to meet students’ needs.
“Food insecurity is a very real challenge for many of our students, and we see firsthand the difference access to nutritious food can make,” Culberson said. “Having additional freezer capacity allows us to offer a wider variety of foods, including frozen proteins and other items that can help students prepare complete meals. It’s more than just a piece of equipment. It’s another way we can support students, ease some of the financial pressures they face and help them stay on track toward completing their education.”
Hannaford and the Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges celebrated the investment Wednesday, Oct. 21, at SMCC’s South Portland Campus, where representatives joined students and volunteers at the Captain’s Cupboard to recognize the partnership and help stock the pantry.
Hannaford Supermarkets President Mike Vail said the company’s investment is intended to eliminate barriers to accessing nutritious food while helping students achieve their educational goals.
“For students pursuing a college degree, access to nutritious food shouldn’t stand in the way of their success,” Vail said. “We’re proud to support colleges and community organizations in developing innovative practices to provide fresh food when and where students need it. By investing in the infrastructure behind these programs, Hannaford is helping to expand food access and ensure students and communities thrive.”
The investment comes at a time when food insecurity remains a significant concern among college students nationwide. According to information provided by Hannaford, an estimated 41% of college students experience food insecurity, a challenge that can affect their health, academic performance and ability to complete their education.
Through Hannaford’s initiative, the Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges will receive $263,000 to support improvements to food pantries at all seven of Maine’s community colleges. Funding will support refrigeration, storage, transportation and technology enhancements designed to expand food access and reduce barriers for students.
John Fitzsimmons, president of the Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges, emphasized both the growing need for campus food pantries and Hannaford’s ongoing partnership with Maine’s community colleges.
“We are thrilled with the support from Hannaford’s Foundation for our food pantries at our seven community colleges,” Fitzsimmons said. “Last year, we had 3,994 visits to our food pantries across the state. We are doing everything we can to help students complete their programs and find a job with financial security. Hannaford has been our partner on every step of the journey.”
The Maine investment is part of Hannaford’s broader $850,000 commitment to improving food access for college students throughout New England and New York.
Since 2019, Hannaford’s Fuel Kids at School initiative has supported the opening of more than 200 school-based food pantries, serving students from elementary school through college.
For SMCC, the new freezer represents another important step in strengthening the Captain’s Cupboard locations at both South Portland and Midcoast campuses and ensuring students have access to essential resources that support their well-being and academic success.