Maine’s U.S. senators are behind a proposed law change that seeks to level the playing field for small food processors.
Republican Sen. Susan Collins and independent Sen. Angus King said the Strengthening Local Processing Act would give small food processors more access to food safety planning information, allow more meat products to be sold across state lines and provide federal money for training, education and technical assistance.
The changes are especially important because of disruptions to supply chains caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Collins said. The proposal would also let certain livestock in Maine be processed in state by local butchers, Collins and King said.