Connecticut Herdshare Bill Now Law: Connecticut became the sixth state to pass legislation increasing access to raw milk in 2015 when Governor Dannel Malloy signed Senate Bill 360 (SB 360) into law on June 23rd. The bill legalizes the “transfer or exchange of raw milk between persons…
2015 Annual Appeal FundRAISER: Food Freedom Vigilance
Dear Friend of Real Food,
“The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” – Thomas Jefferson
If vigilance is the price of freedom, the work of the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF) and its members has been a beacon of vigilance helping restore basic food freedoms to people across the United States.
Food Police Blotter: Backyard Chickens in New Milford, NJ
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