Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D) is hosting a listening session on Farm Bill programs on Monday, March 20 from 9:00 am – 11:00 am at the Portland Public library, Rines Auditorium, Portland.

This session comes amid budget uncertainity in Washington, D.C. and is an opportunity to address hunger and nutrition needs in Maine and around the country.

Pingree will take questions from the public and moderate a panel of speakers from organizations implementing federal hunger programs on the ground in Maine.  Also speaking will be Maine native and the former USDA Under Secretary for Food and Nutrition Services Kevin Concannon.

Maine ranks 9th in the nation on and first in New England for food insecurity. 15.8% of Maine’s total population is food insecure.  This includes 24% of Maine’s children and 14% of Maine’s seniors.