(a) (1) The Department shall establish a program, when funding is available, to engage in procurement of local food for local school systems. (2) The program shall procure products that are: (i) Foods grown at a certified local farm, as defined in § 14- 701 of the State Finance and Procurement Article; (ii) Certified Chesapeake invasive species provided by a certified Chesapeake invasive species provider, as defined in § 14-701 of the State Finance and Procurement Article; and (iii) Foods grown within a 250-mile radius from an elementary or secondary school in the State. (3) The program shall give preference to providers qualifying under paragraph (2)(i) and (ii) of this subsection. (b) The Department shall coordinate with the Department of Agriculture, the Department of General Services, and any other relevant unit of State government to establish the program, including a centralized platform to encourage the participation of farmers and distributors in procurement opportunities in accordance with subsection (a) of this section. (c) Subject to § 2-1257 of the State Government Article, the Department shall report to the General Assembly on or before December 1 each year on the total number and dollar value of procurement contracts for local food at local schools, including the number of these contracts that are with certified local farms or certified Chesapeake invasive species providers.
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