Sen. Hickman bill to support Maine farmers through state institutions’ food buying contracts goes into law

Posted: February 02, 2026 | Senator Hickman

AUGUSTA — Last month, LD 1141, “An Act to Increase the Procurement of Maine Foods by Certain State Institutions” became law without the Governor’s signature. This bipartisan legislation was introduced by Sen. Hickman, D-Winthrop, in the First Session of the 132nd Legislature and will promote the purchase of food from Maine producers by state institutions, supporting Maine farmers and local businesses. As emergency legislation, the bill took effect immediately upon becoming law.

“This emergency legislation requires certain Maine state institutions to purchase 30 percent of their food products from Maine producers, thereby ensuring our tax dollars are supporting local farmers and food producers,” said Sen. Hickman. “This keeps more of our money in-state and in the hands of Mainers rather than sending it out of state to large corporations who have little motivation to invest in Maine.”

LD 1141 updates Maine food policy to require state institutions to increase their procurement of Maine-grown food products from 20 to 30 percent in alignment with the 2030 goals of the Maine Won’t Wait plan.

Specifically, LD 1141 will:

  • Expand the role of the Institutional Food Procurement Coordinator to coordinate with appropriate state agencies and quasi-governmental entities, Maine food producers and service professionals;
  • Allow state institutions to negotiate directly with Maine food producers and execute agreements for off-contract purchases of food by commodity type;
  • Call for an annual meeting of stakeholders to explore opportunities for cooperation to increase the purchase of Maine foods and food products by state institutions;
  • Establish an advisory committee to support and advance strategies for increasing purchases of Maine foods and food products by state institutions; and
  • Require a biennial report on the progress toward statutory procurement goals.

Sen. Hickman is an organic farmer from Winthrop who co-chairs the Maine Agriculture, Food System and Forest Products Infrastructure Advisory Board. He is a co-author of Maine’s Right to Food constitutional amendment. Sen. Hickman represents Maine Senate District 14, which includes the municipalities of Chelsea, Farmingdale, Gardiner, Hallowell, Manchester, Monmouth, Pittston, Randolph, Readfield, Wayne, West Gardiner and Winthrop.

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