Maine has passed a law allowing communities to enact ordinances regulating local food distribution that is free from state regulatory control — the first such legislation in the nation.
The so-called "food sovereignty" bill signed by Maine Gov. Paul LePage is "definitely a big deal," state Sen. Troy Jackson, who sponsored it, told The Bangor Daily News.
"This is going to allow small producers to become more engaged in the market and free enterprise."
The Daily News said supporters wanted local food producers to be exempt from state licensing and inspections for transactions that are "between the producers and the customers for home consumption or when the food is sold and consumed at community events such as church suppers."