L.C. 9.17 - To support local and family-owned farms in the region of Lincoln - Statute

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

A Bill
To support local and family-owned farms in the region of Lincoln
Be it enacted by the Council of Lincoln

Section I: The Government of Lincoln shall seek to purchase all food products served, sold, or distributed in its offices from locally-owned farms and other agricultural businesses

     Section I(a): “Locally owned” shall be understood to refer to a corporation, partnership, or sole
     proprietorship that is not a subsidiary of a larger entity that is headquartered and produces its
     products within the region of Lincoln, ideally within a fifty (50) mile radius of the building in
     which the products are to be sold

Section II: This act shall not apply to school district food service programs, which shall not be required to procure food products from locally-owned agricultural businesses, though they are encouraged to do so when possible.

Section III: If a certain food product cannot be purchased locally, or cannot be obtained locally at a reasonable rate, it may be purchased from other vendors who do not meet the criteria outlined in the act

     Section III(a): “Reasonable rate” shall be understood to mean a total cost per item that is not in excess of 35% greater than the average price for the item within the region

Section IV: This legislation shall take effect in May of 2021

Sponsor: Brother Jonathan
Occupying: Government Slot 2 of 12

Sponsor, please advocate for your bill

[Brother Jonathan]

This bill was written with the hope of promoting local agriculture in the Region of Lincoln by a) promoting closer cooperation between the regional government and local producers throughout the region and b) by leading by example in encouraging residents to buy local and support family farms.

This pandemic has been a great strain on many in the region, and farmers are no exception. The plight of many farmers in the region, however, is one that is rather persistent and is only likely to get worse over time. Not only are their areas of the region that have experienced multiple periods of drought in recent years (I know this has been the case in much of New England and has created great difficulties for small, locally owned family farms in the region), but these sorts of conditions are only likely to increase as we feel the impact of global warming ever more acutely.

I recognize of course that there may be cost concerns, and I have sought to mitigate those through the inclusion of the reasonable price exception. Further, I did not extend this bill to local governments and explicitly noted that the bill is not designed to cover school districts, and they would likely be unable to source their produce needs reliably and efficiently from local sources given the scale at which they operate.

I am more than open to amendment on this bill and hope that I can work with my fellow Councillors to show our support for local agriculture.

[KaiserDave]

Looks good to me

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Looks good to me

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

motion for a final vote

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

A vote is beginning.


Aye

[Brother Jonathan]

Aye

[S019]

AYE

[KaiserDave]

Aye

[Elcaspar]

Aye

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Bill is passed 5-0

[Grumpier Than Thou]

[S019]

This costs $1,441,629.68

Source:

https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/06/house-spent-about-2m-of-taxpayers-money-on-coffee-pastries-foundation-finds

https://www.foodandwine.com/lifestyle/why-local-produce-costs-so-much