ME LD1605

Establishes the Food System Protection Program within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

Provides zero-interest loans and other resources to Maine agricultural producers and nonprofit hunger-relief organizations affected by federal funding cuts or changes to federal contracts and programs

Requires the department to create an application process and eligibility criteria for loan recipients

Authorizes the department to adopt routine technical rules for program administration

Introduced as an after-deadline emergency measure in response to disruptions to existing federal contracts