A bill from Sen. Cameron Reny, D-Bristol, was recently signed into law by Gov. Mills. LD 921, “An Act to Allow the Local Foods Fund for Public Schools to Be Used for Processed and Value-added Maine Food Products,” will help Maine public school districts purchase and serve more locally produced food to students.

“I’m very grateful to Gov. Mills for signing LD 921 into law,” said Sen. Reny. “This bill is a win for all of Maine, especially our rural communities. We're putting healthy, locally grown food on our students’ plates and giving a much-needed boost to our farmers. This is how we look out for each other in Maine."

LD 921 will expand the range of locally produced foods that schools can purchase and serve to students under the Local Foods Fund by removing the "minimally processed" language from the statute. This change will enable schools to access a wider variety of food products made in Maine, promoting healthier meal options for students while simultaneously supporting the state's local food economy.

In the 129th Legislature, Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, sponsored LD 454, “An Act To Encourage the Purchase of Local Produce for Public Schools,” which funded the Local Produce Fund for the first time. Then in the 130th Legislature, after hearing feedback from school districts across Maine, Sen. Vitelli sponsored LD 636, “An Act To Encourage the Purchase of Local Foods for Public Schools,” which broadened the eligibility criteria for the Local Produce Fund to further benefit Maine farmers, schools and students. It also renamed the program to the Local Foods Fund.

“It’s important that we support our local farmers and food producers. It’s also important that we encourage high participation in the program,” said Sen. Vitelli in her testimony supporting LD 921. “If a school has less kitchen equipment or a small cafeteria staff, why should they be excluded from the program? That’s a disservice to the school, the students, and the farmers and food producers in the area. By making more foods eligible for reimbursement, including Maine processed foods, we can help schools with a wide range of food processing capacity participate.”

LD 921 will take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns sine die.