Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Food Freedom topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Panel advances bill to allow Department of Agriculture exemptions for select ‘producer‑retailer’ sales including limited raw‑milk retailing
Summary
The committee sponsored an amended Food Freedom Act draft that authorizes the Department of Agriculture director to grant narrow exemptions allowing qualified producers to sell homemade food from a location other than the home kitchen (a 'producer‑retailer'), subject to labeling and other limits. The measure passed sponsorship 12–2 after debate over delegation and scope.
The committee voted to sponsor an amended draft that would let the Department of Agriculture director issue narrow exemptions under the Food Freedom Act so a qualified producer could sell homemade food at a location other than the private home kitchen. Representative Johnson, who led the subcommittee, said the change would allow businesses like Hippie Cow Creamery to resume selling lattes and other products without forcing the operator to obtain a full commercial food‑establishment license.
Department of Agriculture director Doug Miyamoto and deputy Joe Budd explained the exemption idea grew from real cases where the statute left no administrative wiggle room. Miyamoto said the department has used individualized exemptions and variances in other regulatory areas (for example, certain float‑tank spa operations) and would document and renew exemptions while monitoring food‑safety risk. He emphasized the exemption would not permit wholesale interstate distribution and that meat products remain constrained by federal inspection rules. Committee members debated whether delegating this authority to the department is an appropriate interim fix or whether the legislature should define exemptions more precisely; several members urged a broader, multi‑session cleanup of the Food Freedom Act.
Public testimony came from the Wyoming Food Coalition and several producers and local‑food retailers. The Food Coalition described the economic role of local food (citing an estimate of over 10,000 farms statewide and local food contributions) and urged clear, consistent rules. A Riverton store operator said his year‑round local‑food store generated about $300,000 in sales last year and supports some 120 producers, arguing further clarity would expand markets. After back‑and‑forth drafting changes (committee members removed a list of prohibited exemption recipients that staff judged redundant), the committee approved sponsorship by roll call (12 ayes, 2 noes). LSO will finalize the amended draft for sponsors.
