§ 10-1601

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§10–1601.

(1)In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

(2)“Farm product” means any agricultural, horticultural, vegetable, fruit product, whether raw, canned, frozen, dried, pickled, or otherwise processed, livestock, meats, marine food products, poultry, eggs, dairy products, nuts, honey, and every edible product of farm, orchard, garden, or water.

(3)“Program” means the Jane Lawton Farm–to–School Program.

(b)There is a Jane Lawton Farm–to–School Program in the Department.

(c)The Program is established for the purpose of:

(1)Promoting the sale of farm products grown in the State to Maryland schools in consultation with the State Department of Education;

(2)Soliciting farmers to sell their farm products to Maryland schools;

(3)Developing and regularly updating a database of farmers interested in selling their farm products to Maryland schools, including the types and amounts of farm products the farmers want to sell and the time periods in which the farmers want to sell;

(4)Facilitating purchases from farmers by interested Maryland schools in consultation with the State Department of Education and in compliance with applicable procurement requirements; and

(5)Providing outreach and guidance to farmers concerning the value of and procedure for selling their farm products to interested Maryland schools.

(1)The Program, in partnership with the State Department of Education and in consultation with school food service directors and interested farming organizations, shall establish promotional events that promote State agriculture and farm products to children through school meal and classroom programs.

(2)At least one promotional event shall:

(i)Last for a period of 1 week;

(ii)Be known as “Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week”;

(iii)Promote State agriculture and farm products to children through school meal and classroom programs; and

(iv)Arrange for interaction between students and farmers through promotional activities that may include field trips to farms and in–school presentations by farmers.

(e)On or before January 1 of each year, each local educational agency participating in the Program shall report to the Department the types and amounts of farm products purchased from farms in the State.