Halal School Meals Network
Equitable access to Maine's universal school meals.
About Us
Khadija Ahmed - Founder and Board President, FFA
Khadija Ahmed is a firm believer in equity and food justice as well as a militant for human rights. She works for Good Shepherd Food Bank as an Equity and Impact Manager. She’s a founder of a non-profit Food for All African Mobile Market, which serves immigrant and asylum seekers by addressing barriers such as access to transportation, language, and cultural relevance. Khadija also serves as a board member of Full Plates Full Potential. Additionally, she works as a chef, teaches cooking classes, and trains school staff on preparing meals that reflect the student body.
Zoe Grodsky - School Food Systems Manager, CCFSC
Zoe is the School Food Systems Manager at the Cumberland County Food Security Council and a member of the Halal School Meals Network Leadership Team. Before joining the council in 2021 as the Food Fuels Learning Coordinator, Zoe worked as a Farm School Educator and a Researcher studying the U.S. Environmental Movement.
Rose Barboza- Project Manager , HSMN
Rose is a social entrepreneur located in Portland, ME. She is the Director of Black Owned Maine, Founder of Barboza Consulting, and Co-owner of Oga Suya Nigerian BBQ with her husband. Her work lays at the intersection of education and advocacy and she is very passionate about helping to create a Maine where communities of color feel welcomed and appreciated.
Firdaws Hakizimana - Communications Coordinator, HSMN
Firdaws Hakizimana, a first-generation African American, is dedicated to fostering unity among diverse cultures, a commitment rooted in her upbringing and experiences. She serves as the Communications Coordinator for the Halal School Meals Network and as a Relations Specialist for the Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center.
Having graduated from Cape Elizabeth High School in 2020, Firdaws is currently pursuing a degree in media studies and communications at the University of Southern Maine. Her academic journey mirrors her passion for amplifying voices and creating meaningful connections in today's media landscape.
The Seven Stages
Stage 1 —
Identifying Need
By surveying students, holding family forms, and doing research of other schools in the U.S. we found that many Muslim students do not eat school lunch.
Stage 2 —
Recipe Development
Working closely with school service staff in Portland, South Portland, and Westbrook, we tested out multiple lunch recipes.
Stage 3 —
Certification
Working with a third party certification organization, IFANCA (Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America), we are able to certify not only meals but also the kitchens!
Stage 4 —
Tabling and Outreach
During lunch times at all school districts, the leadership team, as well as volenteers, table at schools and parent-teacher confrences.
Stage 5 —
Launching Halal school meals
Starting after spring break of April 2024, all three school districts have picked one school to start having halal school meals(Amanda C. Rowe in Portland, Westbrook High School, and South Portland High School).
Stage 6 —Feedback
After launching, we would like to have student, school faculty, and parent feedback, so we will be holding more forums, as well as being reachable at foodforallservices@gmail.com
Stage 7 —Additional Schools/Districts
Our ambitious goal is to have all schools in the three school districts certified, trained, and up and running in the next three years. Additionally, we would like to expand to all school districts in Maine, and move on to universities and other institutions.