This Petition is for an Ordinance that invokes the town’s right to self-governance, and states that local producers and processors may sell food to consumers without licensing. Interesting step that brings a new dynamic to the movement to maintain sovereignty: Town-level nullification.

The proposed ordinance that would empower the local level to grow and sell food amongst themselves without interference from unconstitutional State or Federal regulations. Beyond that, the passed ordinance would make it unlawful for agents of either the State or Federal government to execute laws that interfere with the ordinance. Under this ordinance, producers and processors are protected from licensure or inspection in sales that are sold for home consumption between them and a patron, at farmer’s market, or at a roadside stand. The ordinance specifically notes the right of the people to food freedom.

This idea was started in the town of Sedgwick, Maine they have done what no other town in the United States have done. The town unanimously passed an ordinance giving its citizens the right “to produce, process, sell, purchase, and consume local foods of their choosing.” This includes raw milk, locally slaughtered meats, and just about anything else you can imagine. It’s also a decided bucking of state and federal laws.

The Ordinance can be seen here: http://savingseeds.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/localfoodlocalrules-ordinance-template.pdf

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