ME LD1141

Increases the Maine food procurement goal for state institutions from 20% to 30% by 2030

Changes state policy from encouraging to requiring the purchase of Maine foods and food products by state institutions

Creates an institutional food procurement coordinator position within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to centralize food purchasing across all state agencies

Allows state institutions to purchase off-contract when items are available at 20% or more cost savings from other vendors, enabling "opportunity buying" of discounted foods

Establishes an advisory committee and annual meeting requirement to coordinate procurement strategies across agencies including Corrections, Education, Health and Human Services, University of Maine System, and Maine Community College System