Section 218-A - Direct producer-to-consumer agriculture market programs1.Education and outreach. The commissioner shall provide education and outreach for the purpose of supporting Maine foods providers, such as farmers' markets, farm stands, community-supported agriculture programs and other direct producer-to-consumer venues to further the goal established in this chapter. [2019, c. 677, §11(NEW).]
2.Access to Maine foods and food products for recipients of benefits. The commissioner shall improve access to Maine foods and food products for recipients of benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program administered by the Department of Health and Human Services under Title 22 by: A. Expanding opportunities for farmers to sell Maine foods and food products to recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits by promoting the use of electronic benefits transfer cards at farmers' markets and, in partnership with a statewide federation of farmers' markets, encouraging participation in community-supported agriculture by recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits; [2021, c. 398, Pt. OO, §1(AMD).]B. Assisting farmers' markets in accepting payments through the electronic benefits transfer system by helping them secure equipment, including equipment that does not require the use of electricity, for processing payments through the electronic benefits transfer system; and [2019, c. 677, §11(NEW).]C. In partnership with the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, educating recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits of the opportunity to use the benefits at farmers' markets and the advantages of such use. [2021, c. 398, Pt. OO, §1(AMD).] [2021, c. 398, Pt. OO, §1(AMD).]
Amended by 2021SP1, c. 398,§ OO-1, eff. 7/1/2021.Added by 2020, c. 677,§ 11, eff. 6/16/2020.