Connecticut House Bill HB05105

Connecticut 2020 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/13/20
• Refer: 2/13/20
• Report Pass: 2/28/20

Caption

An Act Concerning Revisions To The Connecticut-grown Program.

Impact

The bill proposes significant amendments to existing regulations concerning the marketing of agricultural products within Connecticut. By expressly defining what constitutes Connecticut-grown products and imposing stricter compliance requirements on producers, the bill strengthens local agricultural standards. This could result in increased scrutiny over labeling practices and product origins, ultimately benefiting consumers seeking quality local produce while providing a framework for accountability among sellers.

Summary

House Bill 05105 focuses on revisions to the Connecticut-grown program, primarily aimed at expanding the definition of 'fresh produce' to include chicken eggs alongside fruits and vegetables. This change is designed to enhance the offerings of the Connecticut Farmers' Market/Senior Nutrition Program, which provides seniors at nutritional risk with access to locally sourced produce through a voucher system redeemable at designated farmers' markets. The intent is to improve dietary options for seniors while also boosting the demand for Connecticut-grown products.

Contention

Discussion surrounding HB 05105 indicated some potential contention over how the new regulations might affect smaller farmers and local markets. Critics expressed concerns regarding the additional compliance burden that could overwhelm smaller producers who may not have the resources to meet new labeling and proof requirements. There were also discussions about the balance between consumer protection and the operational feasibility for farmers, especially in light of varying scales of production across the state.