Bill > LD1858

This bill amends existing legislation to promote local seafood procurement in Maine schools by modifying the Local Foods Fund, which helps school administrative units purchase locally sourced food. The key changes include expanding the fund's matching mechanism from $1 for every $3 spent to $1 for every $2 spent, increasing the maximum state contribution from $5,000 to $10,000 per school administrative unit (or $11,000 if a food service employee attends local foods training), and explicitly including seafood and commercial fishers and aquaculture farmers as eligible local food sources. The bill also allows unexpended fund balances to be used for training and materials, permits the department to contract with third-party entities for training, and requires the department to collect data on local food and seafood procurement. Starting in January 2026, the department must submit an annual report to legislative committees on program participation, seafood purchases, and recommendations for improvement, with each committee having the option to propose related legislation. These changes aim to support local food producers and increase the availability of locally sourced, including seafood, products in school meals.

Education

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1858&snum=132