Legal defeat only emboldens 'food sovereignty' soldiers
Posted April 24, 2016 7:00 am
PENOBSCOT, Maine (AP) - Supporters of an unsuccessful attempt to amend Maine's constitution to ensure a "right to food" say the defeat is only a bump in the road for advocates of food freedom around the country.
A bill proposed by organic farmer and Democratic state Rep. Craig Hickman would have declared the right to food as "inalienable."
Backers saw it as a way to prevent government from intruding in local farm production and sales. The Maine Senate shot down the proposal.
Maine's attempt at a food freedom bill is an outgrowth of national campaigning by groups such as the Organic Consumers Association. Seventeen Maine towns and other around the U.S. have signed on to a local "food sovereignty" ordinance.
In this Friday, April 15, 2016 photo, Heather Retberg collects eggs at the Quill's End Farm in Penobscot, Maine. The farm represents a way of life she said needs to be protected from an aggressive regulatory structure that keeps small farms from getting food to local people. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
The Associated Press
In this Friday, April 15, 2016 photo, Heather Retberg collects eggs at the Quill's End Farm in Penobscot, Maine. The farm represents a way of life she said needs to be protected from an aggressive regulatory structure that keeps small farms from getting food to local people. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
The Associated Press
In this Friday, April 15, 2016 photo, piglets gather at feeding time at the Quill's End Farm, a small family run operation in Penobscot, Maine. Supporters of an unsuccessful attempt to amend Maineâs constitution to ensure a âright to foodâ say the defeat is only a bump in the road for advocates of food freedom around the country. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
The Associated Press
In this Friday, April 15, 2016 photo, fresh eggs are packaged for sale at the Quill's End Farm, a small family run operation in Penobscot, Maine. Supporters of an unsuccessful attempt to amend Maineâs constitution to ensure a âright to foodâ say the defeat is only a bump in the road for advocates of food freedom around the country. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
The Associated Press
In this Friday, April 15, 2016 photo, Phil Retberg pours a pail of milk that will be made into cheese in the family kitchen at the Quill's End Farm in Penobscot, Maine. Retberg said the food sovereignty movement is about protecting community as much as it's about protecting farms. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
The Associated Press
In this Friday, April 15, 2016 photo, raw milk is for sale at the Quill's End Farm, a small family run operation in Penobscot, Maine. The farm is a way of life Heather Retberg said needs to be protected from an aggressive regulatory structure that keeps small farms from getting food to local people. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
The Associated Press
In this Friday, April 15, 2016 photo, a sign gives notice to customers at the Quill's End Farm, a small family run operation in Penobscot, Maine. The Retbergs, who are supporters of an unsuccessful attempt to amend Maine's constitution to ensure a âright to foodâ say the defeat is only a bump in the road for advocates of food freedom around the country. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
The Associated Press