MEASURE TO INCREASE LOCAL FOOD USE RECEIVES PUBLIC HEARING
MEASURE TO INCREASE LOCAL FOOD USE RECEIVES PUBLIC HEARING
Bill will help schools, others use Maine produced food
AUGUSTA— Senator Chris Johnson (D-Somerville) is introducing a bill today that will make it easier for Maine schools to use locally produced foods.
“Maine produced foods are healthy and tasty, and using them in our schools helps the local economy,” Senator Johnson said. “So it makes sense to incorporate local foods into school meals. Making better use of local food options is good for our kids, our farmers, our fishermen, and our economy.”
The measure provides matching funding to set up “food hubs” where locally produced food can be aggregated, minimally processed (such as washing and chopping) and stored. It also encourages training of school food service personnel to plan and prepare meals using these foods. The food hubs would be established through a competitive grant process funded by a bond, and could also be used as distribution centers for other large local buyers, or even the public. Additionally, the bill has incentives for school districts not only for training but also for the purchase of locally produced food.
“Nineteen percent of Maine kids live in poverty and almost 50% qualify for subsidized lunch, and schools are where a lot of our children get their most nutritious meals,” added Senator Johnson.”
Farming is a $1.2 billion dollar industry in Maine and the state has over 8,000 farms. Many of them are small farms, with an average size of 167 acres. These small farms often cannot produce enough of a given crop on their own to provide for a school or other large institution, making the hubs critical for expanding local markets.
The bill, LD 1431, “An Act to Support School Nutrition and Expand the Local Foods Economy,” is scheduled for a public hearing before the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee today at 1:00 p.m.
Senator Johnson represents Senate District 20, the Mid-Coast Region. In the Maine Legislature, Senator Johnson chairs the Marine Resources Committee and serves on the Education and Government Oversight Committees.
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