Citizen petition to allow homestead food sales to appear on ballot after heated deliberation

A citizen petition (Article C‑25‑01) would amend local public health regulations to allow homestead food operations as defined by New Hampshire statute (non‑potentially hazardous foods prepared in a residence) to be sold directly from the homestead, a farm stand, at a farmers market or at a retail food store. The petition seeks to align local rules with RSA 1:43‑a, the state statute that defines and regulates homestead food operations.

Mover Daniel Kane and several residents argued the change would enable small home producers to sell baked goods and preserves and would harmonize Plaistow law with practice in most New Hampshire municipalities. Opponents, including a Select Board member, urged caution on food‑safety grounds; the town’s speakers repeatedly noted that the RSA framework imposes labeling and ingredient disclosure requirements and that the permit classes are designed to exclude “potentially hazardous” foods requiring time‑and‑temperature control.

During the session the petitioner agreed to correct a clerical omission in the draft warrant language (adding the letter “a” to RSA citations) so the article properly references RSA 1:43‑a. The amendment to fix the citation was moved, seconded and accepted. As amended the petition will appear on the ballot; the moderator read the revised wording into the record. Voters will decide whether to change the town’s public health rules on March 11.

Speakers directed voters interested in more detail to New Hampshire Cooperative Extension guidance on homestead food operations and noted that the statute imposes labeling requirements (producer name and address, ingredient list in descending order of weight, allergen disclosure and the date of production) for items sold under the homestead statute.