Committee gives unanimous support to Sen. Ingwersen bill to better protect state food security programs from federal cuts in funding

AUGUSTA — Today, the Legislature’s Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee gave its unanimous support to a bill from Sen. Henry Ingwersen, D-Arundel. LD 2004, “An Act to Enhance Support of Local Nutrition Incentive Programs by Modifying the Eligibility Requirements of the Fund to Address Food Insecurity and Provide Nutrition Incentives,” seeks to better protect state food security programs from federal funding cuts.

“Going into the new year, even with the federal government reopened, ongoing federal cuts and uncertainty make it clear that Maine needs to reinforce its commitment to ending hunger,” said Sen. Ingwersen. “Whether it’s children in school or older Mainers aging in place, we have a responsibility to feed people. These programs also provide critical support to the hardworking farms and food producers in our communities. I am grateful to all of my colleagues on the committee for recognizing the urgency of this situation. I am determined to continue taking action and address food insecurity across the state.” 

As proposed, the bill would strike the word “federal” from the statutory language that established the Fund to Address Food Insecurity and Provide Nutrition Incentives, which would provide greater flexibility for the Fund in seeking funding sources outside of the federal government. The Fund provides financial support to programs like Maine Harvest Bucks and Farm Fresh Rewards, which provides matching dollars to Mainers who use SNAP/EBT on local food.

Testifying in support of the bill, Michelle Webb, the Director of the Agriculture Resource Development Division, underscored the necessity of the bill: “What we witnessed this past fall was a pause in the payment of federal nutrition benefits and the prospect they might be significantly reduced or canceled altogether in the future. LD 2004 is a response to this new reality and would simply strike the term ‘federal’ from the program’s requirements.”

According to the Maine Federation of Farmers Markets, these programs generate more than $2 million in additional sales to farmers and food producers in Maine. The economic impact has benefited 80 farmers markets, farmstands, CSAs and small stores in all 16 counties. It has supported over 400 small farms and food businesses.

In the coming weeks, LD 2004 will face votes in the full Senate and House.

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