<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)">
<!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style><![endif]-->
<title>Priority Notice: Anticipated Child Nutrition Funding Opportunities</title>
<style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Helvetica;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.org
{mso-style-name:org;}
span.locality
{mso-style-name:locality;}
span.region
{mso-style-name:region;}
span.postal-code
{mso-style-name:postal-code;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body bgcolor="#FAFAFA" lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="purple" style="word-wrap:break-word">
<div class="WordSection1">
<div>
<div align="center">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;background:#FAFAFA">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<div align="center">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="600" style="width:6.25in;background:#FAFAFA">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:6.0pt 6.0pt 6.0pt 6.0pt">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:6.0pt 6.0pt 6.0pt 6.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#505050">Priority Notice from the Maine Department of Education<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td width="190" valign="top" style="width:142.5pt;padding:6.0pt 6.0pt 6.0pt 6.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#505050"><a href="https://mailchi.mp/maine/cu5lemq6y0-1326271?e=d89fcd9d0f" target="_blank"><span style="color:#336699">View this message in your browser</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div align="center">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="600" style="width:6.25in;background:white;border:solid #DDDDDD 1.0pt" id="templateContainer">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<div align="center">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="600" style="width:6.25in;background:black" id="templateHeader">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="color:white"><a href="https://maine.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a582edd6473e477ef6307c769&id=d2f665912b&e=d89fcd9d0f"><span style="font-size:25.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#336699;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="600" height="100" style="width:6.25in;height:1.0416in" id="_x0000_i1028" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/a582edd6473e477ef6307c769/images/priority_notice_72613.jpg"></span></a></span><b><span style="font-size:25.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#202020"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<div align="center">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="600" style="width:6.25in" id="templateBody">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="background:white;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:12.0pt 12.0pt 12.0pt 12.0pt">
<p style="line-height:150%"><strong><span style="font-size:15.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#505050">Anticipated Child Nutrition Funding Opportunities </span></strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#505050"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#505050">Dear Champions of Education, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#505050">The Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Child Nutrition Team is pleased to announce anticipated funding opportunities available to school
administrative units (SAUs) for the 2023-2024 school year. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#505050">On June 29, 2023, US Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the availability of a 4th round of Supply Chain Assistance
funds (SCA) for SAUs. Maine will receive a total of $4 million dollars towards minimally processed foods. SAUs have already had the opportunity to receive the first three rounds of funds to ease the burden of supply chain issues and the high cost of foods. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#505050">The Maine DOE’s Child Nutrition Team has also applied for and anticipates receiving a Local Foods in Schools (LFS) grant award. If awarded,
Maine would receive a total of $600,000 for local minimally processed foods. These funds are being made available through the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) branch of USDA. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#505050">In anticipation of receiving funds, each SAU is required to notify the Maine DOE’s Child Nutrition Team if they are opting in to receive
an allocation or opting out and are choosing not receiving an allocation of funds.
<strong><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">This deadline has been extended to July 14th.</span></strong> Links to opt in/out forms as well as anticipated amounts of funds for each SAU with an easy-to-read chart about the programs can be found on
the <a href="https://maine.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a582edd6473e477ef6307c769&id=b3305a93e5&e=d89fcd9d0f" target="_blank">
<span style="color:#336699">Finance page of the Child Nutrition Website</span></a> under the “Grants” accordion. Links are also provided below. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#505050"><a href="https://maine.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a582edd6473e477ef6307c769&id=99f1a49a01&e=d89fcd9d0f" target="_blank"><span style="color:#336699">SCA
opt in/out form</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#505050"><a href="https://maine.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a582edd6473e477ef6307c769&id=7ca1534b61&e=d89fcd9d0f" target="_blank"><span style="color:#336699">LFS
opt in/out form</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#505050">We encourage each SAU to take advantage of these funds for the upcoming year school year. Questions can be sent to Jane McLucas, Director
of Child Nutrition at <a href="mailto:Jane.McLucas@maine.gov" target="_blank"><span style="color:#336699">Jane.McLucas@maine.gov.</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height:150%"><em><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#505050">Sent June 29, 2023</span></em><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#505050"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<div align="center">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="600" style="width:6.25in;background:white" id="templateFooter">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:6.0pt 6.0pt 6.0pt 6.0pt">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" style="background:#FAFAFA;padding:6.0pt 6.0pt 6.0pt 6.0pt" id="social">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:125%"><span style="color:black"><a href="https://mailchi.mp/maine/cu5lemq6y0-1326271?fblike=true&e=d89fcd9d0f&socialproxy=https%3A%2F%2Fus2.campaign-archive.com%2Fsocial-proxy%2Ffacebook-like%3Fu%3Da582edd6473e477ef6307c769%26id%3Dd0beb4d7f9%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmailchi.mp%252Fmaine%252Fcu5lemq6y0-1326271%26title%3DPriority%2520Notice%253A%2520Anticipated%2520Child%2520Nutrition%2520Funding%2520Opportunities" title=""Like Priority Notice: Anticipated Child Nutrition Funding Opportunities on Facebook" "><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:125%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#336699;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="48" height="20" style="width:.5in;height:.2083in" id="_x0000_i1027" src="http://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/fb/like.gif" alt="Like Priority Notice: Anticipated Child Nutrition Funding Opportunities on Facebook"></span></a><a href="http://twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmailchi.mp%2Fmaine%2Fcu5lemq6y0-1326271&text=Priority+Notice%3A+Anticipated+Child+Nutrition+Funding+Opportunities&count=none" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:125%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#336699;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="55" height="20" style="width:.575in;height:.2083in" id="_x0000_i1026" src="http://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/social_connect_tweet.png" alt="share on Twitter"></span></a></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:125%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#707070"><br>
<br>
<a href="https://maine.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a582edd6473e477ef6307c769&id=9bc4161d89&e=d89fcd9d0f"><span style="color:#336699">Maine DOE Newsroom</span></a><a href="https://maine.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a582edd6473e477ef6307c769&id=e8265192c3&e=d89fcd9d0f"><span style="color:#336699">
on Twitter</span></a> | <a href="https://us2.forward-to-friend.com/forward?u=a582edd6473e477ef6307c769&id=d0beb4d7f9&e=d89fcd9d0f">
<span style="color:#336699">Forward to a Friend</span></a> <br>
<br>
<a href="https://maine.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a582edd6473e477ef6307c769&id=4053aed313&e=d89fcd9d0f"><span style="color:#336699">Maine Department of Education</span></a> |
<a href="https://maine.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a582edd6473e477ef6307c769&id=b28e3baf30&e=d89fcd9d0f">
<span style="color:#336699">Maine DOE Newsroom</span></a> | <a href="https://maine.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a582edd6473e477ef6307c769&id=e3324a07c0&e=d89fcd9d0f">
<span style="color:#336699">Contact Us</span></a><br>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="350" valign="top" style="width:262.5pt;padding:6.0pt 6.0pt 6.0pt 6.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:125%"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:125%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#707070">You are receiving this e-mail because you opted in at our website.<br>
<strong><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Our mailing address is:</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:125%"><span class="org"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:125%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#707070">Maine Department of Education</span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:125%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#707070">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:125%"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:125%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#707070">23 State House Station<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:125%"><span class="locality"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:125%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#707070">Augusta</span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:125%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#707070">,
<span class="region">ME</span> <span class="postal-code">04333-0023</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:125%"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:125%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#707070"><br>
<a href="https://maine.us2.list-manage.com/vcard?u=a582edd6473e477ef6307c769&id=21283d239d"><span style="color:#336699">Add us to your address book</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td width="190" valign="top" style="width:142.5pt;padding:6.0pt 6.0pt 6.0pt 6.0pt" id="monkeyRewards">
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" style="background:white;padding:6.0pt 6.0pt 6.0pt 6.0pt" id="utility">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:125%"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:125%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#707070"><a href="https://maine.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a582edd6473e477ef6307c769&id=d7a44100ad&e=d89fcd9d0f"><span style="color:#336699">Subscribe
to News Releases</span></a> | <a href="https://maine.us2.list-manage.com/profile?u=a582edd6473e477ef6307c769&id=21283d239d&e=d89fcd9d0f&c=d0beb4d7f9">
<span style="color:#336699">Update Subscription Preferences</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:center">
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<div align="center">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;background:white;border-collapse:collapse;border:none" id="canspamBarWrapper">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="border:none;border-top:solid #E5E5E5 1.0pt;padding:15.0pt 0in 15.0pt 0in">
<div align="center">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse:collapse" id="canspamBar">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:0in 15.0pt 3.75pt 15.0pt">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:center;line-height:150%">
<span style="font-size:8.5pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#606060">This email was sent to
<a href="mailto:paula.b.gravelle@maine.gov" target="_blank"><span style="color:#404040">paula.b.gravelle@maine.gov</span></a>
<br>
<a href="https://maine.us2.list-manage.com/about?u=a582edd6473e477ef6307c769&id=21283d239d&e=d89fcd9d0f&c=d0beb4d7f9" target="_blank"><em><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#404040">why did I get this?</span></em></a> <a href="https://maine.us2.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=a582edd6473e477ef6307c769&id=21283d239d&e=d89fcd9d0f&c=d0beb4d7f9"><span style="color:#404040">unsubscribe
from this list</span></a> <a href="https://maine.us2.list-manage.com/profile?u=a582edd6473e477ef6307c769&id=21283d239d&e=d89fcd9d0f&c=d0beb4d7f9"><span style="color:#404040">update subscription preferences</span></a>
<br>
Maine Department of Education · 23 State House Station · Augusta, ME 04333-0023 · USA
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img border="0" width="1" height="1" style="width:.0083in;height:.0083in" id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://maine.us2.list-manage.com/track/open.php?u=a582edd6473e477ef6307c769&id=d0beb4d7f9&e=d89fcd9d0f"><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>