An Act establishing a farm-to-institution pilot program
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill creates a pilot program to increase the amount of locally grown food purchased by institutions like schools and hospitals in Massachusetts. The program aims to support local farmers and provide healthier food options for these institutions. It will test different methods for integrating farm-fresh produce into institutional food service. The pilot program will evaluate the feasibility and benefits of expanding farm-to-institution purchasing statewide.
Key provisions
- Establish a pilot program for farm-to-institution procurement.
- Prioritize purchasing from farms within Massachusetts.
- Define eligible institutions (e.g., schools, hospitals, state agencies).
- Develop guidelines for food safety and quality standards.
- Provide funding for participating farms and institutions.
- Evaluate the program’s impact on local farmers and institutional food systems.
- Track the volume of locally sourced food purchased.
- Report findings to the legislature.
Who is affected
- Massachusetts farmers
- Schools and hospitals in Massachusetts
- State agencies
- Institutional food service providers
- Consumers of school and hospital meals
Notable changes
- This bill introduces a structured approach to increasing local food purchases by institutions.
Bill text
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Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
7 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
James B. Eldridge
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