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Bill aims to ease school procurement to expand farm‑to‑school and local seafood purchases
Summary
House Bill 56 would streamline procurement to help local school systems buy more Maryland‑grown produce and locally harvested seafood (including invasive species such as blue catfish), and would prioritize certified local suppliers.
House Bill 56 would adjust procurement rules to help local school systems and state agencies buy more locally produced food, including aquaculture species harvested from the Chesapeake Bay such as blue catfish, and to streamline contracting so smaller producers can sell to schools.
Why it matters: Supporters said the change would expand farm‑to‑school opportunities, increase markets for Maryland farmers and watermen, and help schools procure fresh, local food. Witnesses emphasized that procurement complexity currently prevents many small producers from participating and that aggregation/processing or price preferences can make local sourcing feasible for school meal programs.
Delegate Lorig Charkoudian (presenting HB 56) said the bill grew out of practical barriers local school systems faced when trying to use statewide contracts to buy local foods and described ongoing technical amendments being coordinated with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and DGS to resolve procurement differences between local school systems and state contracting rules.
Beth Brewster, food service supervisor for Caroline County Public Schools, described practical barriers: many districts lack purchasing agents and school calendars limit fresh‑season procurement. She said Caroline County uses summer processing (including packaging and preserving produce) to make local items available during the school year and that aggregation/processing centers and IQF (individual quick freeze) capacity would help smaller districts scale.
Supporters including Maryland Farm Bureau, Capital Area Food Bank and community development organizations urged a favorable report, arguing local procurement helps students eat better, supports local economies and increases food system resilience.
Committee members asked about geographic preference limits, certification and how to avoid Commerce Clause issues. The sponsor said amendments being prepared would prioritize Maryland‑certified farm and fish suppliers and increase the state’s price preference from 5% to 10% for certified suppliers; the approach aims to prioritize in‑state suppliers while remaining compliant with constitutional limits.
Ending note: Sponsors and agency witnesses said they remain finalizing technical language and fiscal clarifications; committee members asked for updated fiscal notes and MSDE concurrence before the bill advances.
