Maine set precedence this year as the first state in the nation to permit municipalities the authorization to regulate local food systems. LD 725, titled An Act to Recognize Local Control Regarding Food Systems (commonly known as The Food Sovereignty Act), grants municipalities control of their
2017 Accomplishments
This has been quite the year for the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF). We would like to celebrate with you the many achievements we have made in the food freedom movement. It gives us great joy to continue to be involved in this movement and to fight for farmers, artisanal producers, homesteaders and consumers across the country.
Maine Governor Signs Local Food Sovereignty Bill; Vetoes Unregulated Statewide Food Sales
It’s been an amazing past couple of weeks in Maine. On June 16, the state broke new ground for the local food movement when Governor Paul LePage signed LD (Legislative Drawer) 725, a bill giving control over food regulation to
Heather Retberg Wins FTCLDF Activism Award
Falls Church, VA—February 2, 2017—The Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF) is proud to announce that Maine farmer Heather Retberg is the winner of the second annual Gravel Road Gang Activism Award
Close Again on Food Freedom in Maine
For the second year in a row, legislation on freedom of food choice nearly passed the Maine legislature but came up short. LD 783, a “Resolution, Proposing Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to establish a right to food
Sixteenth Maine Town Passes Food Sovereignty Ordinance
Bingham, MAINE—July 10, 2015—On July 1, Bingham, Maine became the 16th town in that state to pass the Local Food and Community Self-Governance Ordinance (LFCSGO) when its citizens voted to adopt the LFCSGO at a special town meeting by a ballot vote of 59-8. Under the ordinance, farmers
Food Rights Updates: CT Raw Milk, ME Food Sovereignty & FDA Oversight in TX
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…
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
Joel Salatin’s Testimony on Food Freedom in Maine
Joel Salatin testified on April 30, 2015 before a legislative committee in favor of a state constitutional amendment in Maine on the Right to Food. Below is the text of his remarks.
Brown Case Before Maine Supreme Court
On May 13, Blue Hill dairy farmer Dan Brown will have his case heard by the Maine Supreme Court. Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund General Counsel Gary Cox will be arguing Brown’s case before the Court. Brown is appealing a lower court ruling finding him guilty on three counts for violations of Maine’s food and dairy code. Argument is