A $6 million bond to invest in the local foods economy received a public hearing in the state’s appropriations committee on Thursday, June 4.

The bond, LD 387, “An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Support Agricultural Enterprises and Encourage the Use of Local Farm Products in Public Schools,” would allocate $5 million for the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry’s Agriculture Marketing Loan Fund (AMLF) to help farms and farm related infrastructure, and $1 million for the Department of Education’s Local Produce Fund matching dollars for school purchases of local produce.

“Maine’s agricultural economy deserves an investment in its growth,” said State Sen. Chris Johnson, D-Somerville, the bond’s sponsor. “This investment can help process or deliver what farmers produce and also improve the quality, nutrition, and healthiness of school food.”

Currently, New England only produces only 10 percent of the food consumed in the region; however, according to New England Food Visionreport, New England has capacity to produce more than 50 percent of the food consumed. Maine leads New England with 8,174 farms and contributes more than $2 billion annually to the state’s economy, according to the Maine Farm Bureau Association.

“What’s most important is that Maine seize this opportunity and make investments that can help get us back to basics like helping with short supply chains,” added Johnson. “This bond is a good return for farmers, it’s good food for Maine people, and can provide greater food security.”

The appropriations committee will be holding a work session on the bill, LD 387, “An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Support Agricultural Enterprises and Encourage the Use of Local Farm Products in Public Schools,” in the coming weeks. If approved, the bond measure will go to the voters of Maine for their approval.