Food security advocates gathered in South Portland Friday to celebrate the grand opening of a new industrial production kitchen run by the nonprofit Preble Street.

The 30,000-square-foot facility can create up to 2,000 meals a day, with the eventual capacity for up to 10,000 meals.

The freezer inside can store 50,000 ready-to-eat meals, which could be distributed statewide in the event of an emergency.

"Pandemics, natural disasters, these are things that we expect to happen, and we want to make sure everybody in Maine has food for that time," said Donna Yellen, vice president of strategic initiatives at Preble Street.

Yellen said the idea for the food insecurity hub started during the pandemic, as Preble Street began making and distributing frozen, ready-made meals instead of opening u

See Full Page