Maine Food Policy News
#7 Mar 29, 2021
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Published weekly with support from
an Elmina B. Sewall Foundation grant to Maine Farm to Institution
It includes an archive of all Newsletters, along with complete listings of all Bills we are tracking sorted by topics, tips on Taking Action and more. We continue to build this site as a toolbox for Food Justice and Democracy.
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Sign up Here for Key Policy Alerts from Kindred Policy Organizations
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Key Bills Schedules 3/29 - 4/9
Note: Each Bill listed now has 3 clickable links:
- LD # link takes you to PDF fo Bill
- Committee Names takes you to Committee Page
- YouTube link takes you to present and past hearings
Abbreviations used for Committees:
Hunger and Student Hunger Bills
LD 1046 An Act To Create an Income Tax Return Checkoff for Hunger Prevention sponsored by Rep. Maureen Terry, Hearing Mar. 31 9am before Tax Committee This bill requires the inclusion of a check-off provision on Maine income tax forms for taxpayers who wish to contribute to support the emergency food assistance program. Tax YouTube.
AG Bills
LD 820 Resolve, To Convene a Working Group To Develop Plans To Protect Maine's Agricultural Lands When Siting Solar Arrays
LD 870 Resolve, Directing the Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous and Maine Tribal Populations To Study the Impact of Policies Regarding Agricultu... sponsor Rep. Pluecker, Hearing Apr 1, 9am before ACF Committee ACF Youtube link.
LD 80 An Act To Provide Critical Communications for Family Farms, Businesses and Residences by Strategic Public Investment in High-speed Internet and Broadband Infrastructure, sponsor Rep. McCrea, Hearing Apr 1, 9am before TAX Committee TAX Youtube link
LD 151 An Act To Protect Farm Workers by Allowing Them To Organize for the Purpose of Collective Bargaining sponsored by Rep. Thom Harnett, referred to Labor and Housing Comm. This bill proposes to allow persons working in agriculture to organize for the purposes of collectively bargaining for wages, hours, other working conditions and benefits without fear of reprisal. The bill would exempt farms under a certain size with a limited number of employees. LBHS YouTube
Newly Published Bills
LD 1146, An Act To Protect Maine's Ocean Waters and Support Regulatory Oversight and the Long-term Health of the Aquaculture Industry Sponsored by Rep. Alley, referred to MARINE Comm.
LD 1163 An Act To Reduce Pollution by Prohibiting Metallic Mineral Mining Sponsored by Rep. O'Neil, referred to ENR Committee.
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Federal Food and Agriculture Bills
Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC-12) introduced the Local and Regional Farmer and Market Support Act (H.R. 8096), and it will help meet the needs of farmers who've been left out during the pandemic. Here are THREE big reasons to support this bill:
- It offers direct support for producers selling into local and regional markets based on the losses they've experienced.
- It prioritizes funding for BIPOC farmers and low-income communities of color and includes robust outreach, technical assistance, and data collection to ensure that aid is distributed equitably.
- It provides emergency response grants for farmers markets and local food enterprises to allow those operations to adapt to new market conditions, implement public health and safety protections, and further support communities experiencing food insecurity.
USDA AMS has set up a listening session for stakeholders to provide feedback on implementing the additional funding for food purchases and distribution. There is also an opportunity to submit written comments. Here are the details: March 22, 2021 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET Register in advance for this webinar.
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Events:
Farm-Based Education Network
3-4:30pm, April 1, 15, and 29, 2021
Hosted by Food Tank
April 28, 2021
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For more information, contact Ken Morse, Coordinator of the Maine Food Policy Work Group
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The Maine Food Policy Work Group is a collaboration of organizations and people working to promote good food policies in Maine. It was started by Maine Farm to Institution (MEFTI), with support from the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation.
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Healthy Communities of the Capital Area (HCCA) is the fiscal and staffing home of the Maine Food Policy Work Group. HCCA's mission is to convene and support people, organizations, and communities to collaborate on quality of life and public health issues.
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