UMES Extension’s Small Farm Program will have a member on the new Maryland Food System Resiliency Council according to emergency legislation passed April 12 in the Maryland General Assembly. Senate Bill 723/House Bill 831 establishes the council, which will be housed under the Maryland Emergency Management Agency.
The council will address “food insecurity in the state resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic crisis.” It will develop policy recommendations to “increase the long-term resiliency of the food system and develop a strategic plan to increase the production and procurement of Maryland certified food.”
“The establishment of the Maryland Food System Resiliency Council demonstrates the state’s commitment to helping constituents and farmers in times of crisis,” said Berran Rogers, coordinator of UMES Extension’s Small Farm Program. “Our program is honored to be included in this important undertaking.”
The council is tasked to coordinate state and local level food insecurity services to support residents; track and analyze data to create a comprehensive map of food insecurity across the state and identify gaps in service; leverage federal and private sector grants and other resources in order to address food insecurity needs; advise the state on how best to allocate resources and increase efficiency; and explore the role of and potential for the Federal Community Eligibility provision to ensure all students in the state are fed.
