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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 23 A U G U S T 1 0 , 2 0 1 5 Shaw adds that she can call Maile with any concern. "She's reachable, listens and responds. She makes you feel like part of the team, like you're important," Shaw says. Misperceptions Maile says many people who come to food pantries are working and not just showing up for a hand- out. And for many, walking through the door to ask for help is a milestone. She related the story of one woman who walked up to the door of the Preble Street food pantry with her three children several days in a row before fi nally coming inside. "When you volunteer at a food pantry, so many people who come in feel the need to explain why they're there," she says. Food insecurity, or hunger, is not having regular access to the food you need to live a healthy life, says Maile. She has focused on healthy food since taking over as president, opting for low-salt soups, gluten- free noodles, fresh produce and whole wheat-based pasta. Of the 23 million pounds of foods the food pantry handles in a year, 40% is perishable, meaning it is frozen or has to be refrigerated. Another 30% is fresh produce and the rest is boxed or canned goods. "Five years ago it was 5% produce," she said. Education is key Before becoming president, she was running Cooking Matters, hands-on cooking and nutrition classes for low-income people at risk for hunger. She started it and brought it under the umbrella of the Good Shepherd Food-Bank. "I was disheartened by the unhealthy food being given to people who are unhealthy," she says, remembering volunteer work at food pantries. She tells of one woman who, when off ered a bag of fresh potatoes, asked what they were. at's when Maile started Cooking Matters. She pulled in a couple large grants from Hannaford and then approached the Good Shepherd Food-Bank in 2010 to take the program in-house. Cooking Matters' 300 classes this year reached 3,000 people. Prior to entering the nonprofi t world, she was a fi nancial analyst and business consultant. She worked for Black Point Group, a Portland-based private investment partnership run by IDEXX founder David Shaw and his son Ben Shaw, who is founder and CEO of Direct Vet Marketing Inc. Maile holds an MBA from Boston University and a Bachelor of Science in computer science from Boston College. "I loved working with the Shaws," Maile says. "It was intellectually challenging. I loved the work, but I didn't love passing money around to the same [wealthy] people." Maile, a New Hampshire native, describes her upbringing as middle class, with her father being an engineer and her mother a homemaker. " ey came from families of meager means and worked hard." She says she wanted to feel like she was contrib- uting more, and initially took a 50% cut in pay when she joined Good Shepherd Food-Bank. Says Maile, "Cooking well is important to me." Lori Valigra, Mainebiz senior writer, can be reached a t l v a l i g r a @ m a i n e b i z . b i z a n d @ LVa l i g r a UnitedInsurance.net UnitedInsurance.net UnitedInsurance.net UnitedInsurance.net UnitedInsurance.net UnitedInsurance.net UnitedInsurance.net UnitedInsurance.net UnitedInsurance.net UnitedInsurance.net UnitedInsurance.net UnitedInsurance.net UnitedInsurance.net UnitedInsurance.net UnitedInsurance.net UnitedInsurance.net UnitedInsurance.net UnitedInsurance.net UnitedInsurance.net UnitedInsurance.net 20% OFF! Subscribe today for only $37.95 Get engaged, inspired and connected with a print + digital subscription to Mainebiz. You'll receive bi-weekly issues, special publications and full online access! Know Maine Business. Order online at mainebiz.biz/knowmainebiz Or call 845-267-3008 and provide the discount code HM15KMB In her own words In her own words In her own words In her own words In her own words In her own words In her own words In her own words In her own words In her own words In her own words In her own words In her own words In her own words What was the biggest challenge of your career? To get people to see the broader picture of the food system. It's not just filling bellies today. It's looking at long-term solutions to hunger. When did you know you'd made it? I haven't made it yet. I'll feel like I have when the work I'm part of has a long-standing, meaningful impact. I still feel like we're on a hamster wheel chasing the need rather than being out in front of it. What advice do you wish you'd gotten early in your career? It's advice from David Shaw [IDEXX founder and former employer] who said you don't have to have all the answers to stick your neck out and be part of the solution. You have to have passion and the willingness to try and fail. I'll relax when…? Not until anyone who has the desire, has the opportunity to live the life they want to live. What was your 'Haven't we gone beyond this' moment? One year ago people were waiting in line with their own boxes at the food pantry in Alfred, in York County, one of the wealthiest counties in Maine.

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