Food freedom fest celebrates local hero

From Kimberly Hartke:

Staunton, VA–July 25, 2014—Farmers, foodies, politicians and others dedicated to advancing food freedom unite for a weekend festival in the scenic Shenandoah Valley of Virginia on September 5-6, 2014.  Organized by the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense (FTCLDF), Food Freedom Fest is a fun, educational gathering for anyone who appreciates freedom of choice in food and agriculture. The funds raised will help defend the rights of small farmers and artisan food producers, as well as consumers and buying clubs.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), is trying to control all food regulation and poses a threat to the local food movement.  The September gathering is a meeting of people who see the benefit of a direct farmer to consumer relationship. This is relevant to anyone who wants to make a living off the land and keep the government out of their kitchen.

Pushing FDA to go after small farmers

From David E. Gumpert, on the Complete Patient blog:

“The Center for Food Safety has filed suit against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration over its alleged failure to enforce the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

You may remember the FSMA–it’s the contentious law enacted in early 2011 that gives the FDA broad new powers to enter farms and other food producers without warrants, to force food producers to have detailed food safety plans (or show they meet strict requirements for an exemption), and to inspect farms to assess their farming practices (enforce so-called “good agricultural practices”), even gives the FDA potential authority over intrastate food sales.

The CFS is one of those sanctimonious Washington nonprofits that seems to be saying the right things–get rid of Agent Orange in soy, save the bees, no genetically engineered apples–but toes the party line on using food safety as an excuse to crack down on small farms.     

Consumer groups fights for continued access to artisanal food producers

Washington, DC–September, 1, 2011– The Weston A. Price Foundation, a consumer nutrition organization, has filed its third set of comments with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the agency’s implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).  The most recent comments addressed the preparation of traditional foods – specifically raw milk cheeses, bone broths, and lacto-fermented vegetables – in a safe manner.

“These foods play an important role in an optimal diet, and their production should be encouraged in the interests of Americans’ health and vitality,” said Sally Fallon Morell, founder and president of WAPF.  “These foods have been safely prepared and consumed by people all over the world for centuries, and FDA needs to understand the traditions and science behind them.  Treating these artisanal foods as if they were inherently dangerous would only undermine their quality, while not serving the goal of food safety.”