Bill > SB177

This bill establishes a new Local Food Purchasing Program for the State Department of Education aimed at procuring local food for local school systems. The program will prioritize foods grown at certified local farms, certified Chesapeake invasive species, and foods grown within a 250-mile radius of an elementary or secondary school in the state. The bill gives preference to providers of certified local farm and invasive species foods. It requires the Department of Education to coordinate with the Department of Agriculture and Department of General Services to create a centralized platform to encourage farmer and distributor participation. The bill also introduces a goal for state units to achieve 20% of their food procurement contracts from certified local farms and Chesapeake invasive species providers. Additionally, the legislation modifies existing procurement regulations to allow state schools and facilities to establish a percentage price preference (up to 10%) for locally grown food and potentially limit procurements to responses from certified local farms. The program is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and the Department of Education will be required to report annually on the total number and dollar value of local food procurement contracts.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Health and Social Services

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0177?ys=2025RS