Making Agricultural Products Locally Essential (MAPLE) Act

Bill 119 HR 293, also known as the Seniors Farmers' Market Program Expansion Act, aims to broaden the scope of the existing seniors farmers' market program to include maple syrup. The current program provides low-income seniors with access to fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers' markets, helping to improve their nutrition and overall health.

The proposed expansion of the program to include maple syrup recognizes the importance of this natural sweetener in the diets of seniors and the economic benefits it can bring to local maple syrup producers. By allowing seniors to use program vouchers to purchase maple syrup at farmers' markets, the bill seeks to support both seniors' health and local agriculture.

The bill outlines the eligibility criteria for seniors to participate in the expanded program, as well as the requirements for farmers' markets and maple syrup producers to be approved vendors. It also includes provisions for funding and oversight to ensure the successful implementation of the expanded program. Overall, Bill 119 HR 293 represents a bipartisan effort to enhance the existing seniors farmers' market program by including maple syrup, thereby promoting the health and well-being of low-income seniors and supporting local agriculture.