§ 281. Declaration of legislative findings and intent. The legislature
hereby finds that inflation has caused higher prices in all phases of
farm and food production and farm and food products distribution; and
that the demand, by consumers within the state, for increasing supplies
of wholesome, fresh and nutritious farm and food products provides a
significant opportunity for the development of alternative marketing
structures for food grown within the state by which such products may be
supplied directly to the consuming public. In addition, increasing the
supply of wholesome, fresh, locally produced fruits and vegetables can
help to encourage the consumption of such produce in a manner that helps
to combat the increasing incidence of adult and childhood obesity.
Reducing the incidence of obesity can help to improve the overall health
of the general public, help to reduce the cost of providing health care
and reduce the state's costs of providing such care.

The legislature finds also that encouraging direct sales from farms
and other agricultural producers to consumers and other buyers can
provide producers with a substantially increased income over that which
is currently obtainable through the conventional wholesale marketing
system.

It is therefore the intent of the legislature and the purpose of this
article to encourage expanded production of farm and food products
through providing increased opportunities for farm and food product
producers within the state to wholesale and retail their products
directly to consumers on a state, regional and local basis; to encourage
purchasing opportunities which will lower food costs to consumers; to
increase the share of the consumer's food dollar retained by the
producers of farm and food products; to make farm and food products more
readily available to residents of the state; and to encourage and
facilitate the purchase and use of farm and food products produced
within the state by public and private institutions and agencies.