§218.__Farmers' Market Program

The department shall cooperate with the Commissioner of Health and Human Services or the commissioner's designee to promote the purchase of state-grown and processed food products at local farmers' markets and farmstands by nutritionally at-risk groups through programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services under Title 22, chapter 851.

Sec. 5. 7 MRSA c. 101, sub-c. 2-B, as amended, is repealed.

Sec. 6. Staggered terms. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 7, section 216, subsection 2, of the 3 initial appointments to the Maine Food Policy Council made pursuant to Title 7, section 216, subsection 1, paragraph E and of the 3 initial appointments made pursuant to Title 7, section 216, subsection 1, paragraph F, one member must be appointed to a term of one year, one member must be appointed to a term of 2 years and one member must be appointed to a term of 3 years.

Sec. 7. Directive to Maine Food Policy Council. The state food policy developed by the Maine Food Policy Council under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 7, section 216, subsection 7 must be designed to support a food supply system that:

1. Ensures Maine residents have a safe and stable food supply free of interruption by natural or human events;

2. Enhances the access, availability, affordability and quality of food for all its citizens;

3. Maintains a safety net to ensure security from hunger for the State's most vulnerable citizens;

4. Recognizes that the regular consumption of a balanced diet of nutritious foods can improve health and reduce health care costs;

5. Is economically and environmentally sustainable;

6. Reflects that Maine is a unique place with land, soil, a climate and fisheries conducive to the production of a wide array of food products;