Section 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.
    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.