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 […]
cottage foods
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 […]
Top 5 Legal Trends in 2023 for Small Farmers and Artisanal Food Producers
We can’t believe 2022 is almost in the rearview mirror! FTCLDF accomplished a great deal last year on behalf of our members and we invite you to read more about our work in 2022. We are ready to face 2023 with the same determination to address the barriers and struggles our members face. Looking ahead […]
Upcoming Members-Only Webinar – Making a Difference: How to Bring About Changes in Food Policy
Live on Zoom at 1 p.m. EST, Thursday, May 26. MEMBERS: If you cannot attend live, you can watch the replay of this webinar at a later date by LOGGING IN to your member profile and navigating to Member Resources. Webinar Details We host our second, live members-only webinar of the year, “Making a Difference: How […]