The bill H.408, introduced by Representative Surprenant, aims to promote the procurement of local foods by State institutions and universities in Vermont to enhance the viability of local farms and food businesses. It establishes a State policy that encourages these entities to prioritize local foods when they are comparable in cost to non-local options. Specifically, it mandates that procurement officials purchase local foods unless the price exceeds that of non-local products by more than 10 percent. The bill also includes definitions for "local food," "State agency," "State universities and colleges," and "State institution," and emphasizes the importance of local production for community empowerment and economic resilience.

Additionally, the bill requires food service management companies to provide information in their bids on how they can supply locally produced foods to schools, enabling them to qualify for local foods incentive grants. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025. The bill includes several insertions that outline the findings of the General Assembly regarding the benefits of local food procurement and establishes a new subchapter dedicated to State purchasing of food.