1. (a)

   1. (1) There is an Office for the Certified Local Farm and Fish Program in the Department.
   2. (2) The purpose of the Office is to administer the Program and facilitate the participation of certified local farms and certified Chesapeake invasive species providers in the Program.

2. (b)

   1. (1) There is a Certified Local Farm and Fish Program in the Office.
   2. (2) The purpose of the Program is to encourage each unit to try to achieve an overall percentage goal of 20% of the unit's total dollar value of procurement contracts for food from certified local farms and certified Chesapeake invasive species providers.
3. (c) The Department shall create two positions to provide staff for the Office.
4. (d) The Department, along with the Department of General Services, shall coordinate with the State Department of Education to procure local food for local school systems in accordance with § 7-136 of the Education Article.

Added by Acts 2021, c. 2, § 1, eff. March 13, 2021; Acts 2021, c. 32, § 1, eff. March 14, 2021. Amended by Acts 2023, c. 575, § 1, eff. July 1, 2023; Acts 2023, c. 576, § 1, eff. July 1, 2023; Acts 2025, 1st Sp. Sess., c. 1, § 1, eff. Jan. 15, 2026; Acts 2025, 1st Sp. Sess., c. 15, § 1, eff. Jan. 15, 2026.