MAINE’S ‘FOOD DESERT’ ADDRESSED BY BOND TO STRENGTHEN FOOD ECONOMY

Bond would invest in food infrastructure in central and northern Maine

AUGUSTA – A $5 million bond to address hunger in central and northern Maine by constructing a cold produce storage and distribution facility received strong support at a public hearing in the state’s Appropriations Committee today.

Sen. Justin Alfond of Portland

“This investment will address the inadequate cold storage and food distribution system in central Maine. ” said Alfond. “Maine farmers will have new market opportunities and we can tackle the pervasive problems of hunger across the state.”

LD 733, “An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Build the Infrastructure Needed To End Hunger in Central and Northern Maine,” would construct a cold produce storage and distribution facility to serve central and northern Maine farmers, schools and food pantries.

“This bond will strengthen Maine’s agricultural economy while simultaneously addressing hunger and poor health. It will grow markets for Maine farmers and expand the charitable food systems ability to purchase more product in what has been known to be the ‘food desert’ of Maine,” added Senator Alfond.

According to a 2014 USDA report, approximately 15 percent of Maine’s households, or more than 200,000 Mainers, are food insecure, meaning they lack access to enough nutritious food to live a healthy life.  Approximately 1 in 4 children and 16 percent of Maine seniors are food insecure.

The measure received broad support from Chris Hallweaver of Northern Girl, Stewart Smith of Lakeside Family Farm, Stuart Jablon of Backyard Farms, and Maine Farmland Trust.”

The Appropriations Committee will be holding a work session on the bill, LD 733, “An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Build the Infrastructure Needed To End Hunger in Central and Northern Maine,” in the coming weeks. If approved, the bond measure will go to the voters of Maine for their approval.

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