Senate unanimously approves Vitelli local foods bill

AUGUSTA — The Maine Senate unanimously approved a bill from Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, which promotes the purchasing of local foods in Maine, in an initial vote on Thursday.

LD 1584, “An Act To Expand the Local Foods Economy by Promoting Local Foods Procurement” sets aggressive goals in the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry for the purchase and sale of local foods.

“We are so fortunate in the state of Maine to have a dynamic and growing food economy, including the potential for an expanding aquaculture industry to add to our already productive fisheries. A local good food procurement program can stimulate demand for local food and lead to innovations in aggregating and distribution systems,” said Sen. Vitelli. “This bill supports our small farms and rural communities and brings good food to more Maine people. I am thrilled that my colleagues in the Senate could join me in supporting this important piece of legislation.”

The amended version of the bill sets a goal of increasing purchases of locally produced food and food products by state institutions 20 percent no later than 2025. It does so by charging the commissioner of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to establish guidelines to assist state institutions in assessing their ability to purchase local foods while minimizing costs, providing education and outreach for the purpose of supporting farms, farmers’ markets, and community supported agriculture and seafood providers to increase the sale and purchase of local foods.

It also will expand access to local foods and farmers markets to SNAP beneficiaries and increase the amount of locally produced food served on University of Maine campuses.

LD 1584 received a unanimous report out of the Legislature’s Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry earlier this month. It will now head to the floor of the House for a vote.

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