Sen. Ingwersen introduces bill to help Maine resident's access local produce

Posted: January 22, 2024 | Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Senator Ingwersen

AUGUSTA – On Monday, Sen. Henry Ingwersen, D-Arundel, introduced a bill to address food insecurity in Maine and remove barriers for access to nutritious food. LD 2093, “An Act to Address Food Insecurity by Helping Maine Residents Access Locally Produced Food,” was the subject of a public hearing before the Legislature’s Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry.

“This nutrition incentive program, gives low-income shoppers who use SNAP or EBT bonus bucks when they buy local produce from Maine farms. Nutrition incentive programs like Maine Harvest Bucks and Farm Fresh Rewards are an investment in public health and local economic resilience,” said Sen. Ingwersen. “LD 2093 will help these programs grow their impact, benefiting more farms and more people currently facing food insecurity.”

LD 2093 would give ongoing funding to nutrition incentive programs and would match contributions from public and private sources. The bill would help Mainers who are facing food insecurity and address the disparities in health outcomes by helping them access fresh produce while supporting Maine farmers. 

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, in February 2023 about 100,000 Maine households received SNAP benefits. This bill works to make remove the barrier for lower-income Mainers to access high quality foods while also increasing positive health outcomes.

“LD 2093 will boost farm viability and market viability, which allows for more farms and food enterprises to enter the local food economy” stated Jimmy DeBiasi, Executive Director of Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets. “With the passage of this bill, it is a win for Maine farmers and a win for Mainer’s that don’t have easy access to fresh local produce.”

This legislation also supports Maine’s climate goals. The Maine Climate Action Plan states that Maine will “increase the amount of food in Maine from state food producers by 2030.” Having more food produced in Maine will lessen the state’s reliance on imported produce and significantly reduce Maine’s carbon footprint.

LD 2093 immediately went into work session. The bill faces further action in committee.

Sen. Ingwersen (center) poses with Jimmy DeBiasi (standing second from left) and local farmers