Resolve, Directing the Department of Education and the Department of Agrkulture, Food and Rural Resources To Convene a Work Group To Strengthen Farm-to-school Efforts in the State (EME~GENCY)
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 1140
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: McCABE, RA YE, ADAMS, BECK, BERRY, BOLAND, BRIGGS, BUTTERFIELD, CAIN, CAREY, CASAVANT, CLARK, COHEN, CONNOR, CRAY, CUSHING, DOSTIE, DRISCOLL, EBERLE, EDGECOMB, EVES, FLEMINGS, GIFFORD, GILBERT, GOODE, HARLOW, HILL, HUNT, WALSH INNES, KRUGER, LEGG, MARTIN, MAZUREK, MORRISON, O'BRIEN, PIEH, PINGREE, PINKHAM, PRATT, RANKIN, RUSSELL, SANBORN, SCHATZ, SHAW, SMITH, STEVENS, STRANG BURGESS, STUCKEY, WAGNER, BLISS, NUTTING, SHERMAN

FIRST JlEGULAR SESSION-2009 
Legislative Document 
No. 1140 
H.P.784 
House of Representatives, March 23,2009 
Resolve, Directing the Department of Education and the 
Department of Agrkulture, Food and Rural Resources To Convene 
a Work Group To Strengthen Farm-to-school Efforts in the State 
(EME~GENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed. 
Presented by Representative McCABE of Skowhegan. 
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1n.1l?C!£~{ 
MILLICENT M: MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Cosponsored by Representati ve KENT of Woolwich, Senator RA YE of Washington and 
Representatives: ADAMS of Portland, BECK of Waterville, BERRY of Bowdoinham, 
BOLAND of Sanford, BRIGGS of Mexico, BUTTERFIELD of Bangor, CAIN of Orono, 
CAREY of Lewiston, CASAVANT of Biddeford, CLARK of Millinocket,. CLEARY of 
Houlton, COHEN of Portland, CONNOR of Kennebunk, CORNELL du HOUX of Bnmswick, 
CRAY of Palmyra, CUSHING of Hampden, DOSTIE of Sabattus, DRISCOLL of Westbrook, 
EBERLE of South Portland, EDGECOMB of Caribou, EVES of North Berwick, FLEMINGS 
of Bar Harbor, GIFFORD of Lincoln, GILBERT of Jay, GOODE of Bangor, HARLOW of 
POliland, HAN. VELL of Fannington, HILL of York, HUNT of Buxton, WALSH INNES of 
Yannouth, KRUGER of Thomaston, LEGG of Kennebunk, MARTIN of Orono, MAZUREK 
of Rockland, MORRISON of South Portland, NELSON ofFalmouth,O'BRIEN of 
Lincolnville, PIEH of Bremen, Speaker PINGREE of North Haven, PINKHAM of Lexington 
Township, PRATT of Eddington, RANKIN of Hiram, RUSSELL of Portland, SANBORN of 
Gorl}am, SCHATZ of Blue Hill, SHAW of Standish, SIROIS ofTumer, SMITH of Monmouth, 
STEVENS of Bangor, STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland, STUCKEY of Portland, 
WAGNER of Lyman, Senators: BLISS of Cumberland, NUTTING of Androscoggin, 
SHERMAN of Aroostook. 
Printed on recycled paper 
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,Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjoumment unless 'enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, farm-to-school initiatives are effective and innovative approaches to help 
youth eat healthier and more nutritious foods, improve academic performance, introduce 
learning opportunities with regard to food production and preparation and provide hands-
on experiential education; and 
Whereas, farm-to-school initiatives, help preserve working farmland, invigorate 
local. economies, rebuild and revitalize communities and, promote environmental 
stewardship; and 
Whereas, the State's public schools are tax-'supported and the purchase by schools 
of local products strengthens the local tax base; and 
Whereas, this ,legislation establishes a process to review and strengthen farm-to-
school initiatives throughout the State; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution' of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, be it 
Sec. I. Convene work group. Resolved: That the Department of Education and 
the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, referred to in this resolve as 
"the departments," shall. convene a work group to study farm-to-school initiatives and 
programs in the State and develop recommendations for strengthening farrn~to-school 
efforts in the State; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Participants. Resolved: That, in conducting the review and developing 
recommendations, the departments shall invite the participation of the following agencies, 
groups and organizations: 
A. The Department of Health and Human Services; 
B. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension; 
C. The Maine School Food Service Association; 
D. The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association; 
E. The Maine Center for Public Health; 
F. The Maine Nutrition Network; 
G. The Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Program Association; 
H. Healthy Acadia; 
I. Healthy Oxford Hills; 
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J. Focus on Agriculture in Rural Maine Schools; 
2. 
K. Maine Harvest Lunch Program;. 
L. WesteiTIMountains Alliance; 
M. The Eat Local Foods Coalition of Maine; and 
N. Other statewide organizations involved in supporting Maine agriculture, public 
health, the environment and the Maine economy; and be it further 
Sec. 3.. 
Duties. Resolved: That the departments, with input from and III 
consultation with the participants set forth in section 2, shall: 
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A. Assess the status of regional and statewide farm-to-school efforts throughout the 
State, including policies, practices and curricula; 
B. Review the existing capacities of and barriers to facilitating the purchase and use 
of local products; 
C. Review the status of networking channels that connect farm-to-school efforts 
throughout the State; 
D. Review best practices and evaluate methods from other farm-to-school programs 
outside the State; and 
E. Prepare recommendations for strengthening farm-to-school initiatives and 
programs within the State; and be it further 
Sec. 4. Report. Resolved: That the departments shall submit a report on the study 
conducted pursuant to section 1 to the. Joint Standing Committee on Education and 
Cultural Affairs, the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry 
and the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services by February 1, 2010. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
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legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
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This resolve requires the Department of Education and the Department of 
Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to convene a work group consisting of agencies, 
groups and organizations involved in supporting Maine agriculture, public health, the 
environment and the Maine economy to study fann-to-school initiatives and programs in 
the State and develop recommendations for strengthening farm-to-school efforts in the 
State.