The Food Police Blotter tracks the actions of government agencies in denying the right to produce, sell, obtain and consume the foods of our choice. This open letter from Jeff DelVecchio describes how it was not his local zoning department but rather the town Board of Health that prohibited him from
The People Speak: Fourteenth Maine Town Passes Food Self-Governance Ordinance
MOSCOW, MAINE—June 17, 2015—On Tuesday, June 9th the residents of the town of Moscow, Maine in Somerset County voted by ballot to adopt The Local Food and Community Self-Governance Ordinance (LFCSGO). Moscow becomes the third town in Maine this year to pass
State Raw Milk Legislation Recap
This year has been a productive session for legislation increasing access to raw milk. While there is still resistance to raw milk legislation, opposition has declined overall around the country. With deaths being attributed to the consumption of cheese and ice cream made with
Judge Rules Berglund Not in Contempt for Refusing MDA Inspection
In a ruling paving the way for a possible precedent-setting court decision on food freedom in Minnesota, Cook County District Judge Michael J. Cuzzo has denied the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) request to hold dairy farmer Dave Berglund in contempt for refusing to
Ranchers Are Not Criminals…for Now
The latest from Paradise Ranch: The judge has ordered that all the animals we are charged with neglecting be forfeited unless we pay a bond of $39,780 by 4 p.m. Pacific Time, Thursday, June 11. Unless we come up with the money by that time, 35 of our animals (cows and their calves, yearlings, and a boar) will be forfeited.
Key FSMA Deadline Approaching: Artisans at Risk
June 8 is the last day to comment on the “Registration of Food Facilities” rules proposed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The most important provision for small farmers and artisan food producers is a proposed change to the definition of
How the National Park Service Shut Down a California Treasure
Who is going to hold the National Park Service accountable for its illegal actions that lead to the closure of Drakes Bay Oyster Company? Here is Kevin Lunny’s testimony before a congressional subcommittee about how this rogue agency shut down a California institution through fraudulent
Pot-Bellied Pigs Now Invasive Species in Michigan
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now enforcing its swine invasive species order (ISO) by shooting pet pigs if they step even a short distance outside their owner’s property. DNR is adopting a “shoot first, ask questions later” policy for an ISO that is vague
NPS Ecological Mismanagement at Point Reyes: By Design?
The Center for Biological Diversity’s (CBD) media campaign featuring 250 dead elk at Point Reyes National Seashore (PRNS) stands as the latest example of the ongoing assault on agriculture within the PRNS. While the PRNS’s failure to follow its own elk management plan led directly to the death of these
FTCLDF Case Updates
The Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund’s General Counsel Gary Cox provides the rundown on the cases he’s currently handling. Everyone represented in court by FTCLDF is a member of the organization.