The head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture commended Maine for its free meals program for students during a visit to the state.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was at Gorham Middle School on Tuesday. He was joined by Governor Janet Mills and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree.

The state’s free meal program for school children was implemented starting in the 2019-2020 school year. The state pays the difference between the cost of each lunch or breakfast and the federal reimbursement rate of 68 cents per meal.

Vilsack said Maine was more than just the model, but the “Mecca of local and regional food support for farmers and connecting them to schools, to other institutional purchasers.”