Kenduskeag, Me. (April 27, 2023) – Maine state regulators have shuttered a small home food business serving healthy, prepared meals to a rural community. Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF), in support of Kenduskeag Kitchen owner Rhiannon Deschaine and other members, maintains the action taken by the State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) violates […]
State Laws and Regulations
Fighting for Food Freedom in Maine: FTCLDF Lawsuit Asserts the State Has Violated Its Food Sovereignty Act
On March 28, 2023, Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF) and some of its members filed a lawsuit against the State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to protect food freedom in Maine. In late 2022, DHHS agents ordered the closure of the Kenduskeag Kitchen —a small, home -based food producer business that […]
State Food and Food Safety Bills Passed in 2022 Are a Mixed Bag
State legislative sessions are currently active and at FTCLDF we are monitoring a number of bills relevant to our mission, and of interest to our members and their food production operations. The following are food and food safety bills that were passed in the 2022 legislative session and the implications of each: Connecticut Connecticut passed […]
Law Clerk Wanted: Help Our Farmers Grow!
FTCLDF seeks a law clerk to conduct legal research to serve its members and potentially update resources. The law clerk may conduct legal research on a number of agricultural or food law matters as required by its members. This may include…
FTCLDF Welcomes Back Tenacious Litigator with a Heart for Farmers
Attorney Suzy Israel has a heart for farmers and the fierce determination of an experienced public defender. As a litigator for Farm-to-Consumer Defense Fund (FTCLDF) for more than five years, Israel defended the rights of independent farmers against the government. In 2021 she took a year off from the law to tackle another challenge, restoring […]