Food aid

As the government shutdown heads into November, some 170,000 people in Maine are bracing for the loss of monthly grocery money from the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Federal food assistance for nearly 170,000 Mainers is likely to halt next week due to the government shutdown. Some local businesses are stepping in to provide free food and supplies to fill the gap.

State officials warn, funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is expected to run out of regular funding in the coming weeks due to the federal government shutdown.

The Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program said it's dealing with increased requests for assistance but with less food to go around due to federal cuts.

Nearly a dozen Cumberland County projects and nonprofits will share $7 million in American Rescue Plan Funding. The money will be used to create more affordable housing, provide food security, childcare and mental health services.

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) _ Maine lawmakers are wrestling with how to get nutritious, affordable food in the hands of more low-income students. A task force…