The idea, nutritionists say, is to put healthy food choices in front of students.
New federal rules about what can be sold as "snacks" — mostly what's in vending machines or sold by clubs to raise money — will take high-fat, sugar-laden foods off school grounds.
The new national standard was announced this week, and will take effect in the fall of 2014.
Officials say Maine already has tough rules for sales of food on school grounds.
"For the most part, we saw what was coming down the road," said Ron Adams, director of food services for Portland, the largest school district in Maine. Portland's rules, adopted two years ago, are among the toughest in the state, he said.