This article focuses on the aspects of the FSMA most relevant to farms we assist. The FSMA standards were structured to roll out in phases and the largest businesses were the first required to meet deadlines by which they must adopt certain food safety practices, followed by the smaller players. We will focus here on small and very…
New Farmer Donates Pork Destined for Euthanasia to Families in Need
This past spring a young farmer named Julie Friend decided to avoid food waste and save some pigs from euthanasia to feed to local families in need. What was especially remarkable is that Julie had just started farming weeks prior. Let’s back up. Growing up and through her early 20s, Friend had depression, sinus infections, and digestive issues. She started eating a whole foods diet…
Free Webinar: Raw Butter Safety and Health with a Microbiologist
Our own Executive Director Alexia Kulwiec will interview microbiologist Peg Coleman for this free raw butter webinar. Both are eager to help you understand butter’s rightful place on the kitchen table. Peg holds two Masters of Science degrees…
July’s Member Photo Monday!
Every Monday is Member Photo Monday where we feature a member photo on our Instagram and Facebook pages. Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund is proud of our members, and we take great pleasure in highlighting their operations and the awesome work they are conducting in sustainable farming, animal husbandry, artisanal…
Raw Butter Is Better
FTCLDF has two important updates: First, on August 18, 2020, we are hosting a free webinar to anyone interested in learning more about the properties of raw butter and what contributes to its safety. Second, the FDA has formally filed an Answer to the federal court complaint, and I expect litigation efforts to soon begin….
Working to Better Serve FTCLDF Members
Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF) recently conducted a survey of its members to learn how COVID-19 has affected their farm businesses and to learn what more the organization can do to serve its members. Here is what we learned and what we are planning at the FTCLDF…
PRIME Act Would Address Meat Access Woes
A recent survey among Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF) members indicates that members’ top concerns include the unavailability of meat processors and regulations that interfere with the ability of farmers and ranchers to deliver farm products directly to the consumer. The Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption (PRIME) Act would repeal the ban on the intrastate sale of…
June’s Member Photo Monday!
Every Monday is Member Photo Monday where we feature a member photo on our Instagram and Facebook pages. Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund is proud of our members, and we take great pleasure in highlighting their operations and the awesome work they are conducting in sustainable farming, animal husbandry, artisanal…
County Tax Commissioner Wastes $26,000 Fighting Small Farmer Over Serving Size Definition
Chris Couch owns and manages Dreaming Tree Farms, a small farm outside of Richmond, Virginia that sells prepackaged salad kits for a weekly-delivered subscription service under the name Farm-To-Salad. He started out as a hobby farmer in 2009 and in 2017 decided to leave his job as a management consultant to pursue a more fulfilling career growing healthy food for his community…
Upcoming Members-Only Webinar: Understanding the USDA Poultry Exemptions
Producers of poultry and other livestock intended for direct-to-consumer sales should particularly attend this Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF) live webinar. Consumers and others who want to understand the regulation of on-farm poultry processing will also profit from this exciting member benefit…