An Act To Establish a Local Food Producers and Processors to Consumers Pilot Program
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 1376
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Sponsors: LANGLEY, WARD, EDGECOMB, SAVIELLO, WHITTEMORE, CHAPMAN, HICKMAN, KUMIEGA
Amends: 7 MRSA §219

Legislative Document 
No. 1376 
S.P. 506 
In Senate, April 29, 2015 
An Act To Establish a Local Food Producers and Processors to 
Consumers Pilot Program 
Reference to the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry suggested and 
ordered printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator LANGLEY of Hancock. 
Cosponsored by Representative WARD of Dedham and 
Senators: EDGECOMB of Aroostook, SAVIELLO of Franklin, WHITTEMORE of Somerset, 
Representatives: CHAPMAN of Brooksville, HICKMAN of Winthrop, KUMIEGA of Deer 
Isle. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  7 MRSA §219 is enacted to read: 
§219.  Local Food Producers and Processors to Consumers Pilot Program 
1.  Program established.  In accordance with and furtherance of the goals and 
policies identified in sections 1-A and 1-B and Title 7-A, section 201-A, there is 
established the Local Food Producers and Processors to Consumers Pilot Program, 
referred to in this section as "the pilot program," to facilitate the sale of local foods by 
producers and processors directly to consumers. 
2.  Definitions.  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the 
following terms have the following meanings. 
A.  "Consumer" means a person who acquires local food from an eligible processor 
or an eligible producer for personal use or consumption and not for resale. 
B.  "Eligible processor" means a person located in a participating municipality who 
processes or otherwise prepares local food for direct sale to consumers. 
C.  "Eligible producer" means a person located in a participating municipality who 
cultivates or grows plants or raises animals for processing into local food for direct 
sale to consumers. 
D.  "Local food" means a food or drink made from plants or animals raised, 
cultivated or grown in a participating municipality. 
E.  "Local food policy council" means an organization of persons with differing 
backgrounds and expertise who collaborate to evaluate and improve food systems. 
F.  "Participating municipality" means the towns of Blue Hill, Brooksville, 
Penobscot, Sedgwick and Brooklin. 
G.  "Sale" means a transfer, through barter or otherwise. 
3.  Exemption.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, eligible producers and 
eligible processors are exempt from all state licensure and inspection requirements with 
respect to the production and processing of local food for sale to consumers as long as: 
A.  The sale of the local food is a direct, face-to-face transaction occurring in a 
participating municipality; and 
B.  The local food is sold in some form of bag or packaging that identifies on an 
affixed label: 
(1)  The name and address of the eligible producer or eligible processor; 
(2)  The local food's ingredients; 
(3)  The quantity of the local food; and 
(4)  The following written disclosure: "Not for Resale - Processed and Prepared 
without State Inspection." 
4.  Department assistance.  In furtherance of the goals and policies identified in 
sections 1-A and 1-B and Title 7-A, section 201-A, the department shall: 
A.  Encourage eligible producers and eligible processors to adopt best management 
practices for ensuring food safety; 
B.  Assist eligible producers and eligible processors in identifying educational 
opportunities for furthering their skills in the use of best management practices for 
food safety; 
C.  In cooperation with eligible producers and eligible processors, make visits to the 
operations of eligible producers and eligible processors to advise and assist in the 
adoption of best management practices; and 
D.  Assist and advise local food policy councils in supporting the pilot program and 
promoting local producers and processors in general. 
5.  Assessment report.  By January 15th of each year, beginning in 2016, the 
department shall submit to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having 
jurisdiction over agricultural matters a report summarizing its activities under this section, 
the department's assessment of the success of the pilot program and any recommendations 
the department may have relating to the pilot program, including whether the pilot 
program should be expanded.  The department may conduct surveys to determine public 
experience with and support for the pilot program.  The department shall include in its 
report any assessment of or comments about the pilot program provided to the 
department, including by any local food policy council, eligible producers, eligible 
processors or consumers participating in the pilot program.  Upon receipt of the annual 
report, the committee may report out a bill relating to the pilot program. 
6.  Repeal.  This section is repealed March 31, 2022. 
SUMMARY 
This bill establishes the Local Food Producers and Processors to Consumers Pilot 
Program. The pilot program exempts local producers and processors in the towns of Blue 
Hill, Brooksville, Penobscot, Sedgwick and Brooklin, all of which have adopted local 
food self-governance ordinances, from all state licensure and inspection requirements 
with respect to the production and processing of local foods for sale directly to 
consumers.  The pilot program is repealed in 2022.  Each year the Department of 
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is required to submit a report on the pilot program 
to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over agricultural 
matters including any assessment of or comments about the pilot program provided by 
interested persons, including producers, processors and consumers participating in the 
pilot program.  Upon receipt of the report, the committee may report out a bill relating to 
the pilot program.