Local Food Ordinances Passing

[PulpFaction]

In the midst of the Food Safety Modernization laws and the latest outbreak of e.coli leaving everyone in a twitter about more stringent food safety laws, it has been nothing short of miraculous to watch these Local Food Ordinances come into being and now pass.

What do you all think about it? Personally I am really excited and we are mobilizing a big group of people in our area to attempt something similar here in AK.

http://www.ftcldf.org/Third-Maine-To...-Ordinance.htm

[PulpFaction]

Here is something that rings with similarities going on in Vermont: http://vermontfoodsovereignty.net/

[rambler]

I think people should be able to raise their own food, and I like church picnic type of meals and they don't need more regulations than they have already!

If we sell food to others, I suppose we should have some bit of controls on keeping food safe to a level we are accustumed to having in this country.

Many people in a city setting are only used to food from the store shelf and the microwave, and are not capable of dealing with raw foods, or understand the risks, rewards, or steps needed to deal with 'farm fresh' foods.

Somewhere in all of that there need to be lines formed.

A thorny issue, with many sides to it!

--->Paul

[Danaus29]

People who aren't used to dealing with raw foods don't buy raw (real) food. Why should a farmer selling sweet corn in the husk have to have his crop inspected and tested? Even for foods that are inspected and tested we never get to see those test results and I doubt very many people here could pick out one produce item and tell you what, if any, tests it went through to get to your hands. I know strawberries and grapes are supposed to be tested for pesticide residues but which ones are tested and for what pesticides I can't say. Even with food that was tested, how do you know it wasn't contaminated later? So you have your choice of the backyard farmer who knows your name and you know his or you have a faceless corporation which offers a collection of food from a huge group of processors over which they have no control. Who you gonna trust?

[bassmaster17327]

That is just another example of the government trying to have complete control over every aspect of our lives. I know that I do not want the government to have control over my food, this is the same government that is allowing GMO foods and flouride being put in our drinking water

[Callieslamb]

Good for your town! I think it's great.

[salmonslayer]

Originally Posted by bassmaster17327

That is just another example of the government trying to have complete control over every aspect of our lives. I know that I do not want the government to have control over my food, this is the same government that is allowing GMO foods and flouride being put in our drinking water

I dont think you read the links. She is posting about ordinances that protect small producers and local growers and puts the control at the local community level instead of relying or being burdened by the federal governments one size fits all. I wish you luck in your endeavors Pulpfaction.

[bassmaster17327]

I meant that it is sad that those ordinace even need to be passed. the government should not be able to control local food, I can understand inspecting stuff that comes from other countries as that could be carrying non native insects but you still do not now how the food was grown or raised

[salmonslayer]

Originally Posted by bassmaster17327

I meant that it is sad that those ordinace even need to be passed. the government should not be able to control local food, I can understand inspecting stuff that comes from other countries as that could be carrying non native insects but you still do not now how the food was grown or raised

Ahh, got it and I agree.

[highlands]

Originally Posted by PulpFaction

Here is something that rings with similarities going on in Vermont: http://vermontfoodsovereignty.net/

Just because it says "Vermont" doesn't mean it is Vermonters by any significance. Keep that in mind.

[MO_cows]

Maybe the tide is turning. Ordinances are being revised all over the place to allow backyard chickens, now we see some action to let people have freedom of choice in their food and who supplies it. But all it will take is one well-publicized case of e-coli from manure-fertilized crops or a bad batch of milk to start the pendulum swinging the other way again. Getting these ordinances passed is one thing, educating the public who is for the most part several generations away from food production is another.

[PulpFaction]

Originally Posted by highlands

Just because it says "Vermont" doesn't mean it is Vermonters by any significance. Keep that in mind.

What do you mean? I wasn't born in Alaska, but I live here and will likely do so for the rest of my life. Everyone I know considers that adequate enough for making me "Alaskan" with a vested interest in what happens here.

From what I can tell, the people that formed the Vermont coalition at least live in state and, consequently, have a vested interest in food matters there. Am I missing something? Is this being fueled by a national corporation or something?

[VT Chicklit]

Many Vermonters want the government, both Washington and Montpelier, to STAY OUT OF OUR BUSINESS! What I eat is my business and I don't want Michelle, Barrak, Peter Shumlin, or any of their minions telling me that I can't grow and eat what I want.

[ronbre]

if I pick a few extra quarts of raspberries to sell at a roadside stand I sure don't want to have to pay for licenses, testing, etc..that is ridiculous..nope..I think the government needs to stay out of things and people need to learn how to wash their produce and properly cook their meat