Pine State News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King is introducing legislation to expand marketing and research funding for maple syrup producers in Maine and the New England region. The Market Access, Promotion and Landowner Education Support for Your Regionally Underserved Producers (MAPLE SYRUP) Act would increase funding from $20 million to $30 million for the federal maple support program. The program supports the U.S. maple syrup industry through research and education, natural resource sustainability, and the marketing of maple syrup and maple-sap products.

“There’s nothing better than real Maine maple syrup on Sunday morning pancakes, except maybe the other six days of the week” said Senator King. “The MAPLE SYRUP Act would make significant investments in the hardworking maple syrup producers, sugar farms, and small maple businesses across Maine. Building on the federal syrup support program and promoting America’s maple syrup producers is a smart way to grow the industry and provide the sweet condiment to more people across the region and country. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure this vital legislation is included in the upcoming Farm Bill package.”

U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) co-sponsored the legislation.  

King has been a longstanding advocate for the maple syrup industry and recently passed a resolution designating March 26, 2023 as Maine Maple Sunday recognizing the 40th anniversary of the event and the importance of Maine maple syrup production to the state’s economy and culture.

Original source can be found here.