Maine Senate passes Sen. Ingwersen bill to increase accessibility to local produce

AUGUSTA – Yesterday, the Maine Senate passed a bill from Sen. Henry Ingwersen, D-Arundel. LD 468, “An Act to Address Food Insecurity by Helping Maine Residents Access Locally Produced Food,” would remove barriers against access to nutritious food to mitigate the impacts of food insecurity.

“Along with my other bill to protect Maine Harvest Bucks and Farm Fresh Rewards from cuts in federal funding, this bill is a strong investment in farmers and food producers that boosts accessibility to locally grown, nutritious produce,” said Sen. Henry Ingwersen. “If we are going to continue to fight hunger, then we need to support these hardworking people and these programs. This bill is also a critical part of our plan to build strong communities and lower costs for everyday Mainers.”

“LD 468 helps Maine households with low incomes stretch their limited grocery budgets and support Maine growers and producers,” said Anna Korsen, Program Director at Full Plates Full Potential in supporting testimony on LD 468. “Food insecurity is on the rise in Maine with rising costs of food and other basic costs of living, and households and local farms are struggling to make ends meet. Maine Harvest Bucks and Farm Fresh rewards have helped 25,000 Mainers who participate in SNAP buy more fruits and vegetables, with 30% of SNAP users including families with children. All Mainers deserve high quality nutritious food and programs that address food insecurity.”

As introduced, LD 468 would have given ongoing funding to nutrition incentive programs, such as Maine Harvest Bucks and Farm Fresh Rewards. As amended, the bill will provide $500,000 in one-time funding for these programs instead.

LD 468 now goes to the Governor’s desk, where she has 10 days to sign it, allow it to become law without her signature or veto it.

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