Sen. Hickman introduces bipartisan legislation to support Maine farmers through state institutions’ food buying contracts
AUGUSTA — On Tuesday, April 1, Senator Craig Hickman, D-Winthrop, introduced bipartisan legislation to require state institutions to purchase food from Maine producers. LD 1141, “An Act to Increase the Procurement of Maine Foods by All State Institutions,” was the subject of a public hearing before the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.
“When state institutions spend money on food procurement, they should do their best to buy food produced by Maine people for Maine people,” said Sen. Hickman. “We must reduce our reliance on foods imported from who knows where, grow a more robust food economy from York to Fort Kent, and create desperately needed jobs right here in Maine. The time has come to require our state institutions to spend more of Maine taxpayers’ money on Maine farmers and food businesses, and less on out-of-state Big Food distributors like Sysco.”
LD 1141, as amended by the sponsor amendment presented by Sen. Hickman at the public hearing, would update Maine food policy to require state institutions to procure Maine-produced food to meet the Maine Won’t Wait plan’s goal of 30% by 2030.
LD 1141 would:
- Expand the role of the Institutional Food Procurement Coordinator to coordinate with appropriate state agencies and quasi-governmental entities, Maine food producers and food service professionals
- 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
- Require a biennial report on the progress toward statutory procurement goals.
This bill received support from multiple Maine agricultural organizations, including the Maine Farm Bureau, the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) and Maine Farmland Trust.
“Maine is almost entirely reliant on food from away — currently importing an estimated 96% of its food supply — though we have the natural resources … and knowledge to be self-sufficient and enjoy a healthy, diverse, balanced and delicious diet,” said Heather Spalding, Deputy Director of MOFGA, in her testimony in support of the bill. “LD 1141 will help move the needle toward self-reliance in our food and agriculture system by requiring, rather than simply encouraging, the procurement of Maine foods and food products by state institutions. … We appreciate Senator Hickman’s leadership with this bill and also are happy to see the bi-partisan support for prioritizing state institutional buying of foods produced here in Maine.”
“Institutions have significant purchasing power and, when they purchase local food, use that power to support the local community and economy,” said Shelley Megquier, Policy & Research Director of Maine Farmland Trust, in her testimony in support of LD 1141. “More local food purchasing also improves the quality and nutritional value of the food being served at such institutions — allowing for more Maine people to be able to enjoy healthy, local food.”
LD 1141 faces further action in the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee.
Sen. Hickman is an organic farmer from Winthrop who serves on the Maine Agriculture, Food System and Forest Products Infrastructure Investment Advisory Board. He represents Maine Senate District 14, which includes Chelsea, Farmingdale, Gardiner, Hallowell, Manchester, Monmouth, Pittston, Randolph, Readfield, Wayne, West Gardiner and Winthrop.
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