ME LD124

Establishes the Maine Vegetable Garden Protection Act, guaranteeing individuals the right to cultivate vegetable gardens on their own property or others' property with permission, and prohibiting state or local governments from regulating gardens, permaculture, edible landscaping, food forests, or community gardens in ways inconsistent with the new law

Codifies six principles of food sovereignty into state policy, including centering people's right to healthy and culturally appropriate food, valuing food producers, localizing food systems, promoting local control over land and seeds, building traditional knowledge and skills, and working with nature

Expands the definition of "food or food products" for direct producer-to-consumer transactions to include eggs, grain products, herbs, seasonings, spices, honey, nuts, maple products, condiments, baked goods, sandwiches, and other meals

Authorizes the Bureau of Parks and Lands to lease parcels of public reserved land and nonreserved public land for cultivating edible crops, hay, or livestock pasturage, with priority consideration for individuals with histories of generational poverty, land dispossession, or military veterans

Applies retroactively to local food sovereignty ordinances adopted by municipalities, plantations, or counties prior to October 31, 2017, and expands Capitol Park's edible landscaping program from a portion of the park to throughout the entire park