Maine set precedence this year as the first state in the nation to permit municipalities the authorization to regulate local food systems. LD 725, titled An Act to Recognize Local Control Regarding Food Systems (commonly known as The Food Sovereignty Act), grants municipalities control of their
2017 Accomplishments
This has been quite the year for the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF). We would like to celebrate with you the many achievements we have made in the food freedom movement. It gives us great joy to continue to be involved in this movement and to fight for farmers, artisanal producers, homesteaders and consumers across the country.
Canadian Farmer Sentenced to 60 Days in Jail
Michael Schmidt is a Canadian farmer and food freedom activist who has been fighting to sell raw milk for 24 years. Schmidt, an owner of Glencolton Farms along with 150 other families, have been subjected to the all-too-familiar harassment and interference that characterizes some
Action Alert: Want local meat? Tell Congress to Pass the PRIME Act
High-quality local meat can be hard to find, and one of the main reasons is the shortage of inspected slaughterhouses that are accessible to small farmers in many parts of the country. Farmers often have to haul their animals several
Feds Admit Harassing Small Montana Meat Plant, But Take No Action
As a boy growing up in Butte, Bart Riley loved spending time at the family business, Riley Meats, on West Park Street. Young Bart and his siblings would help out cleaning the shop after his father was done cutting meat for the day
FDA Boxed in on Interstate Ban
For some time now, enforcement on the interstate ban of raw milk and raw milk products by the United States Food and Drug Administration has looked to be an exercise in futility (only raw cheese aged 60 days or more is legal in interstate commerce). Thousands of otherwise law-abiding
State Meat Processing Regulations: Taking What the Feds Give
The Wholesome Meat Act of 1967, legislation passed by Congress giving the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) the jurisdiction over intrastate meat slaughter and processing, ranks as one of the worst pieces of food
PRIME Act Reintroduced in Congress; Bill Needed More Than Ever
FALLS CHURCH, VA—JULY 12, 2017—On May 25, Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Chellie Pingree (D-ME) in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senator Angus King (I-ME) and Rand Paul (R-KY) reintroduced the Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption Act
10th Anniversary for FTCLDF
On July 4, 2007 some 500 people gathered at Jake Zook’s farm in Christiana, Pennsylvania to celebrate the official launch of the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF). The event marked the realization of the
Speak Up on Animal ID Action Alert
Attend Meeting or Submit Comments
The USDA is holding a series of meetings to discuss Animal ID. We objected to the timing of the initial meetings—all scheduled during the extremely busy ranching season of April and May—and USDA has added two more meetings in