PORTLAND, Maine - Portland launched a campaign today to encourage more children to eat school lunches.
Mayor Michael Brennan visited Lyseth Elementary School in North Deering to promote the "Choose School Lunch" initiative.
Talking to fourth and fifth graders before heading into lunch, Brennan said much of what they eat is supplied by local farmers, and the aim is to have 50 percent of their food locally-sourced by the end of 2016.
"It's better for the environment, it helps local businesses, and you get healthy food," Brennan said.
According to Portland school officials, about half the children in the district participate in school lunches on any given day. The goal is to increase that to 60 percent.