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An Act To Increase Consumption of Maine Foods in All State Institutions
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 7 MRSA §213, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 608, §2, is amended to read:
Notwithstanding any other provision of law and assuming reasonable similarity in quality, quantity and availability with other foodstuffs offered for sale, state or school purchasers shall buy meat, fish, dairy products, excluding milk and eggs, and species of fruits and fresh vegetables, directly from Maine food producers or from food brokers who assist in the distribution of foodstuffs produced or harvested by Maine food producers. In the event that more than one producer, broker or wholesaler can supply a given foodstuff, the institutional or school purchaser mayshall require competitive bidding.
Sec. 2.  7 MRSA §213, sub-§3  is enacted to read:
 
3.  Implementation schedule.     The following percentages of foodstuffs purchased by a state or school purchaser, except for a school purchaser at a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program in accordance with 7 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 210 (2007), must come directly from Maine food producers or food brokers who assist in the distribution of foodstuffs produced or harvested by Maine food producers:
 
A.  By December 31, 2021, at least 15%;
 
B.  By December 31, 2026, at least 20%;
 
C.  By December 31, 2036, at least 25%; and
 
D.  By December 31, 2037, at least 35%.
 
SUMMARY
Current law requires state and school purchasers to buy meat, fish, dairy products, excluding milk and eggs, and species of fruits and fresh vegetables directly from Maine food producers or food brokers. This bill establishes a minimum percentage of Maine foodstuffs, including milk and eggs, that must be purchased, requiring at least 15% by December 31, 2021, at least 20% by December 31, 2026, at least 25% by December 31, 2036 and at least 35% by December 31, 2037. The bill exempts from the requirements school purchasers at schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. The bill also requires competitive bidding when more than one producer, broker or wholesaler can supply a given foodstuff.