Dear Friend,
Do you believe in the right to buy food from anyone of your choosing?
Then please pitch in and help us fund our lawsuit to fight for our Maine members, Kenduskeag Kitchen and their customers.
If we are successful in upholding food freedom in Maine using the Maine Food Sovereignty Act, this law could serve as a model in other states. The outcome of this lawsuit could impact the rest of the nation.
DONATE HERE
So, what’s going on?
Basically, Maine state regulators shuttered a small food business that was serving meals prepared in a home to its rural community. These customers understood that the meals were made in a home kitchen. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) states that Kenduskeag Kitchen must obtain a food establishment license, which means that Kenduskeag Kitchen is required to have a full commercial kitchen.
Our legal team maintains that action taken by the Maine DHHS violates both the state constitution and Maine state law, the Maine Food Sovereignty Act. Our own Executive Director Alexia Kulwiec explained the issue best, “The Maine Food Sovereignty Act provides that the State must recognize local ordinances regulating direct food producer-to-consumer transactions and not enforce state regulation that would otherwise apply to those transactions, such as licensing or registration requirements.”
Kenduskeag Kitchen owner Rhiannon Deschaine has been struggling since the DHHS’s action resulted in her business being shut down since December of last year. “This has taken away my meals as options for my community members, who came to enjoy the availability of a wholesome, homemade meal,” said Rhiannon. “The State’s action has created further financial strain for my family amid rapidly rising costs of living in our area. Living with the threats of fines and legal action has caused anxiety and confusion among my family and community.”
Help us help Rhiannon, her customers, other food producers in Maine, and potentially all small-scale food producers in the United States.
DONATE NOW in the name of food freedom!
Please note: when you donate, in the field titled, “Legal and Legislative Matters” type “Maine Lawsuit.”
Learn More about this lawsuit.
Thank you for protecting food freedom.
Amelia Martin
Member Communications
