PORTLAND, Maine — Norimoto Bakery in Portland has a sign on its door for school students who are in need of food to stop by and get a free meal.
The bakery, which is located on Stevens Avenue, is within walking distance of both Lincoln Middle School and Deering High School.
The bakery's owner, Atsuko Fujimoto, is from Japan and explained that food insecurity for children there is as big of a problem as it is here in Maine. She saw the idea from a school district in Japan that had a bakery near a school and is mimicking the idea.
Fujimoto decided to put up this sign on her bakery's window:
The goal is for any students walking to or from school to see it, and it invites kids who need a meal to stop in and just say they saw the sign.
The students will be handed some food, no questions asked.
The owner says she felt this was the best way to make it less shameful for kids to ask for a free meal.
"So we bake brioche rolls every day almost, so I try to give them that and also something hearty like a savory pie or an onigiri rice ball, we don't give them a French macaroon or a double chocolate cake, something more feeling and not buttery or too much sugar," Fujimoto said.
Fujimoto said while she understands it might be difficult for kids to ask for a free meal, she highly encourages them to do so, as she is making meals that sometimes are being left uneaten.
She added if you have an idea on how she could better reach some of these students in need, you can send her an email here: atsukonorimoto@gmail.com.
Norimoto Bakery is open Wednesday through Saturday at 469 Stevens Avenue.