Vitelli bill would support local food producers in Maine

AUGUSTA — A bill by Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, would support the local foods economy by setting aggressive goals in the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry for the purchase and sale of local foods.

The bill — LD 1584, “An Act to Expand the Local Foods Economy by Promoting Local Foods Economy” — received a public hearing before the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee on Tuesday.

“Local farmers need markets in order to expand and maintain their sustainability,” said Sen. Vitelli. “This proposal builds on the strength of our farmers and fisherman by capitalizing on the growing demand for healthy  foods produced  right here in Maine.”

LD 1584 sets a goal of increasing sales of locally produced food by 20 percent no later than 2025. It does so by charging the commissioner of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry with creating a procurement program to increase the purchase of local food by public-sector buyers such as primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, hospitals, jails and other publicly funded facilities, as well as education and outreach to increase participation in the local food economy by private-sector buyers such as restaurants and grocery stores. The bill also proposes expanded access to local foods and farmers markets by SNAP beneficiaries.

The bill builds on the University of Maine system’s commitment to increasing the amount of locally produced food served on their campuses. As of January of this year 17 percent of food served by the university system is locally produced, with a goal of 20 percent by 2020.

Chris Hallweaver, a farmer and local food advocate from Van Buren, spoke in favor of the bill at the public hearing.

“In my humble opinion, our Department of Agriculture should be doing significantly more to help increase the demand for Maine grown and produced foods,” said Hallweaver. “Providing local food targets in the recent UMaine food service outsourcing contract that was awarded to SODEXO shows how at the institutional level, we can positively affect local food and farm purchases.”

Executive Director of the Cooperative Extension John Rebar also spoke in support of the bill at the hearing.

LD 1584 faces further action in the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee and votes in the House and Senate.

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