Bill > LD2004

This bill modifies the Fund To Address Food Insecurity and Provide Nutrition Incentives by removing the word "federal" from descriptions of food and nutrition assistance programs, which effectively broadens the potential scope of the fund. The bill maintains the fund's original purpose of providing incentives for purchasing locally grown fruits and vegetables and supporting outreach for nutrition assistance programs, but eliminates the previous implied limitation to only federal programs. The fund can still match up to $50,000 annually from private and public sources, and will be administered by the state department, which will continue to prioritize organizations that support local food producers, local food production, or low-income individuals' access to food assistance. Organizations based in the state can apply for fund proceeds, with preference given to those with a history of incentivizing food assistance program usage for local produce purchases or those able to leverage the funds to secure additional matching funds. The department retains the ability to require periodic reports from fund recipients, conduct audits, and establish routine technical rules for fund management and distribution.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=2004&snum=132