Sec. 4. Appropriation. The following funds are appropriated from the General Fund to carry out the purposes of this Act.

2001-02

AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND RURAL RESOURCES,

DEPARTMENT OF

Division of Market and Production

Development

All Other $100,000

Appropriates one-time funds for awarding grants to nonprofit agencies who serve low- income clients. Grants are awarded to develop links between the agency's clients and area farmers and food producers to increase the consumption of locally produced foods and improve the nutritional value of food consumed.

Division of Market and Production

Development

All Other $100,000

Appropriates funds for developing and distributing educational materials to promote nutrition and the consumption of locally produced foods.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD

AND RURAL RESOURCES ________

TOTAL $200,000

SUMMARY

This bill directs the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources and the Commissioner of Human Services to develop a program to issue coupons redeemable for fresh locally grown foods to low-income consumers. It requires the commissioners to report to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and the Joint Standing Committee on

Health and Human Services with recommendations for the program no later than January 15, 2002.

It establishes a nutrition education fund for the development and distribution of educational materials to teach consumers about the nutritional value of and how to prepare locally produced foods.

It also provides funding for demonstration projects to increase direct purchasing of fresh farm products by low-income consumers.