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After ‘Picklegate,’ committee weighs bill to bar towns from banning homestead foods; cities push back
Summary
SB418 would make New Hampshire’s homestead food protections uniform across the state after Manchester enforcement against homemade pickles sparked national attention. City health officials and municipal representatives said local authority is needed for food safety and zoning; the Department of Health explained the split in authority between RSA 47 (cities) and RSA 147 (towns).
Senator Victoria Sullivan opened a hearing on SB418 by recounting an episode she called "Picklegate," in which a Manchester resident who shared homemade pickles received a cease‑and‑desist letter from the city health department. "Free the pickle," she told the committee, urging adoption of a bill to make the state’s homestead exemptions uniform.
Sponsor testimony and supporters argued the bill would restore long‑standing homestead protections for jams, pickles and similar high‑acid products that New Hampshire law exempts from commercial licensure, and would prevent…
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