§ 7 §283 — Statement of policy; local control and rural economic development

It is the policy of this State to encourage food self-sufficiency for its citizens. The State shall support policies that:
1.
Local control.
Through local control, preserve the ability of communities to produce, process, sell, purchase and consume locally produced foods;
2.
Small-scale farming and food production.
Ensure the preservation of family farms and traditional foodways through small-scale farming and food production;
3.
Improved health and well-being.
Improve the health and well-being of citizens of this State by reducing hunger and increasing food security through improved access to wholesome, nutritious foods by supporting family farms and encouraging sustainable farming and fishing;
4.
Self-reliance and personal responsibility.
Promote self-reliance and personal responsibility by ensuring the ability of individuals, families and other entities to prepare, process, advertise and sell foods directly to customers intended solely for consumption by the customers or their families;
5.
Rural economic development.
Enhance rural economic development and the environmental and social wealth of rural communities; and
6.
Right to food.
Protect the right to food as declared in the Constitution of Maine, Article I, Section 25.

Legislative History

PL 2017, c. 314, §1 (NEW). PL 2025, c. 309, §§6-9 (AMD).