The Agriculture Law Education Initiative (ALEI) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Agriculture, is conducting a research study to better understand the legal barriers experienced by institutional partners and local farmers in Maryland and the Chesapeake region related to increasing participation in Farm to Institution local purchasing programs.
This research study, titled “Focusing In: Identifying and Addressing Legal Challenges and Educational Needs to Increase Participation in Maryland’s Farm to Institution Local Food Purchasing Program,” is being conducted by Margaret Todd and Rich Kolm from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.
The research seeks input from stakeholders across local food procurement value chains – including farmers, institutional employees, food service management companies, food hubs and aggregators and distributors who grow or buy food for sale in Maryland or within regions included in the definition of “local food” for procurement programs. This research project aims to:
- Identify the specific challenges that exist for regional producers and buyers related to legal and policy topics, like contracting strategies, pricing standards, and procurement processes, through surveys and focus group meetings with key stakeholders.
- Create opportunities for farmers, institutional buyers, food distribution managers, local agricultural service providers, and community organization members to learn from each other and establish relationships;
- Design educational materials to bridge identified gaps; and
- Share results with regional partners and collaborators through a research report, a public Symposium, and live webinars.
Surveys are open October 28 – January 31, 2026 and should take no more than 15 minutes. The survey responses are anonymous. At the end of the survey, you will be asked if you would like to participate in a follow-up focus group discussion. If you agree, you will be directed to a Zoom registration page that will ask for contact information.
- Institutions: https://umdsurvey.umd.edu/jfe/form/SV_07XGLEGDJYj6hkG
- Distributors: https://umdsurvey.umd.edu/jfe/form/SV_cD37v4kSisoa01o
- Farmers: https://umaryland.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dnhnSjchrUh9QQ6
This surveys are open to farmers growing & selling in Maryland, food distribution company and food service management company employees, and Maryland state institutional food service and procurement employees.
For more information or questions, contact Project lead at UMB Margaret Todd – 316.993.5203 – motodd@law.umaryland.edu.
UMB Protocol Number (00116333) Funding for this research was made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service through grant 24LFPPMD1225-00. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA.
