Senators Collins, Welch Introduce Bipartisan Bills to Support Maine’s Maple Industry

Washington, D.C.– U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced theMaking Agricultural Products Locally Essential(MAPLE)Actand theSupporting All Producers(SAP)Act, two bipartisan, bicameral bills to support the Maine maple industry. Senator Angus King is a cosponsor of both bills.
“Maine is the third largest producer of pure maple syrup in the country, producing more than 575,000 gallons in a normal season, and bringing in more than $55 million to our state each year while supporting hundreds of local jobs,”said Senator Collins. “These bills support both local producers and consumers and make this market more accessible for all Mainers.”
TheMAPLE Actwould provide a new market for maple syrup producers while increasing seniors’ access to nutritious, locally sourced maple syrup products by adding maple syrup to the eligible products under the Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). SFMNP gives low-income seniors access to locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs at farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture programs. In addition to Senator King, the bill is cosponsored in the Senate by Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and led in the House by Representatives Nick Langworthy (R-NY-23) and Joe Courtney (D-CT-02).
The SAP Actwould require the U.S. Department of Agriculture to consult with maple producers when determining education and research priorities for theAcer Access and Development Program (Acer), a competitive grant program supporting research and education related to maple syrup production and sustainability in the industry. The House version of the bill is led by Representatives Langworthy and Becca Balint (VT-At-Large).
The full text of the MAPLE Actcan be readhere.
The full text of the SAP Actcan be readhere.
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