The general assembly hereby finds and declares:

(1)  A viable agricultural and seafood sector in Rhode Island represents part of a secure regional food supply, which in turn lends itself to energy and economic efficiencies;

(2)  The federal government and regional entities have established and continue to establish programs and processes to support local agricultural production and increased consumption of locally produced food, and Rhode Island functions in whole or in part in the context of federal and regional programs;

(3)  The general public is increasingly interested in locally produced food;

(4)  The benefits of local food systems to local communities include open land, jobs, nutritious and safe foods, and youth education opportunities;

(5)  Farms and commercial fishing are an integral part of Rhode Island’s overall economy;

(6)  Encouraging the continued growth of Rhode Island’s agricultural and seafood sectors is integral to reducing food insecurity in Rhode Island;

(7)  Relationship-based food systems such as farm-to-school programs, community supported agriculture (CSA) programs, farmers’ markets, and pick-your-own operations are increasingly popular and offer areas of opportunity for new farmers; and

(8)  The state of Rhode Island has historically established programs to provide for and regulate the agriculture and commercial fishing sectors.