An Act To Survey Food Insecurity In Maine

This bill (now amended to a "Resolve") directs Maine's Commissioner of Agriculture to study how the state measures food insecurity after the USDA stopped its annual report. The study will assess current data gaps across demographics like age, income, and geography, consult with existing advisory groups, and explore methods to track progress toward Maine's 2030 hunger reduction goal. The Commissioner may contract external agencies for this work if funding is secured, and must publish findings online. By January 2027, the Commissioner will submit a report to relevant legislative committees with recommendations, which could inform future legislation. The resolution does not create new programs but establishes a framework for evaluating existing food insecurity data.