Maine Bill Would Establish Constitutional 'Right To Food'

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AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine would establish a right to food and move to end hunger by 2030 under a Democratic farmer's legislation.

The bills are set for a public hearing Tuesday in front of the Legislature's Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry committee.

Rep. Craig Hickman proposes a constitutional amendment that would in part declare all individuals in Maine have an unalienable right to consume, barter and produce food.

Hickman has also proposed to require state agencies to work together on a plan to eliminate hunger in Maine by 2030.

Lawmakers are also set to consider Democratic Senate President Troy Jackson's $2.5 million bill to allow Maine to contract with a nonprofit that provides statewide hunger relief services. Such money could purchase food from Maine food producers or pay the nonprofit's operational and distribution expenses.