HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1387        FILED ON: 1/13/2009

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2706

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act relative to the distribution of farm produce to needy persons..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Section 1. Section 5 of chapter 59 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2004 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following clauses:-

Fifty-sixth. Any and all amounts spent or donated by farmers, providers and transporters, for purposes of the farm to family produce network program defined in chapter 128, inclusive of drivers’ expenses, labor, tolls, gasoline and vehicle maintenance and cost.

Fifty-seventh.  One half the expense spent by non-profit corporations, charitable corporations, food banks and food pantries, or any other  entity or individual approved by the commissioner of agriculture, for the planning and purchase of produce by an approved provider participating in the farm to family produce network program.

Section 2. Section 3 of chapter 128 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following:-

The department shall develop a farm to family produce network and resource program and guide which will inform the public and allow non-profit corporations, charitable corporations, food banks and food pantries and any other entity or individual the commissioner deems appropriate, to develop direct farm contacts to coordinate the purchase of produce throughout the year.

The department shall publish and circulate informational materials for the family produce network and shall collaborate with the department of transportation to inform independent transporters of the social and tax benefits of participating in the farm to family produce network.

Section 3. Section 5 of said chapter 128, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting, in line 5 after the word “thereof,” the following:-

including the names and addresses of providers, recipients and transporters participating in the farm to family produce program,

Section 4, Chapter 20 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 7.  There is hereby established a Farm-to-Family Hunger Relief grant program for the purpose of awarding matching grant funds to organizations as defined in Section 57 of Chapter 59 by the Commissioner.