July 12, 2018 — BATH, Maine — One of the few bills spared Gov. Paul LePage’s veto pen in the recent legislative session will require state institutions to purchase 20 percent of their food and food products from local producers by 2025.

The program applies to all state institutions except local schools.

“A strong local food economy has long supported Maine’s coastal and rural communities,” said Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, the author of L.D. 1584. “By supporting our local fisheries and farms now, we are making long-term investments in the future of these vital industries. I am so pleased to see this bill become law so local farms and fisheries can continue to power our state for generations to come.”

It became law on July 4, after the governor failed to sign it or veto it.

Vitelli said she was inspired to submit the bill by farmers at her local farmers’ market, who told her they needed more people buying their products. Robin Chase of Chase Farm and Bakery is the market manager for the Bath Farmers’ Market, where many local food producers gather to sell their produce. Although unlikely to benefit from the new program since she runs a bakery, Chase was optimistic that it would help other local producers.

“I think it could use more customers,” Chase said. “There’s certainly enough farms in every town in the state of Maine that could provide (state institutions) with local foods. Definitely it would be something to do.”

Read the full story at the Portland Press Herald