Promoting Good Food Procurement
COVID-19 has underscored the importance of a resilient and robust local food system. Fair Farms looks to the Good Food Purchasing Program as a model for centering local food procurement around core values in equal measure—local economies, environmental sustainability, valued workforce, animal welfare and nutrition.
Marylanders should be consuming quality, fresh food, grown ethically and sustainably, in support of our local farms and local economy. When adopted by procuring institutions such as hospitals and public schools, the values of the Good Food Procurement Program inherently foster a more equitable and transparent food system, one that does not discriminate based on race or class and further assists in breaking down barriers of access to healthy foods
Fair Farms has been advocating for the passage of a new law to increase the requirement for Maryland institutions to procure 20% of their food contracts from local farms and establish an office in the MD Department of Agriculture to facilitate the process. Such bipartisan legislation passed in 2020; unfortunately, Governor Hogan vetoed the measure. Fair Farms willl keep working for state measures that prioritize good food procurement and continue to uphold these values in our advocacy efforts.
Take Action: Get locally-grown food into Maryland institutions!
Support Farm to Institution Initiatives in Maryland
Gov. Hogan: Support Local Farmers