As a potential cottage food entrepreneur, you must do your homework and understand your state and local rules before proceeding; however, there are some general principles you can expect to confront as you prepare recipes, product lists, and business plans. We aim to cover the basics here to help prepare you for what to expect…
federal legislation
Introduction to the Updated Red Meat Map & Chart
In 1967 Congress passed the Wholesome Meat Act, Public Law 90-201, amending the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA). The act expanded the federal government’s authority over meat slaughter and processing to intrastate commerce but did create exemptions from the requirement that an inspector be present when slaughtering is taking place. The Wholesome Meat Act allowed the “uninspected” slaughter of meat animals at a custom facility as long as the owner…
Remedy for Slaughterhouse Logjam?
Access to slaughterhouses has been poor for small livestock producers in most of the country for many years now but has become considerably worse since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis. USDA-inspected slaughterhouses have since last spring been booking customers as far out as 2022. Many custom slaughterhouses are now booking well into 2021. One possible answer for the slaughterhouse…
FTCLDF & Tetons Slow Food Host Wyoming Food Policy and the Future of Food in Jackson on October 2
We at Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF) teamed up with Slow Food in the Tetons for the Farm to Fork Festival in Jackson Hole, Wyoming on Friday and Saturday, October 2 and 3! On Friday night October 2 we are hosting…
Is Your Farm Covered by the FSMA Produce Rules?
This article focuses on the aspects of the FSMA most relevant to farms we assist. The FSMA standards were structured to roll out in phases and the largest businesses were the first required to meet deadlines by which they must adopt certain food safety practices, followed by the smaller players. We will focus here on small and very…