This chapter is intended to provide Augusta residents unimpeded
access to local food and to reduce governmental regulation of local
foods to the extent permitted by home rule authority under 30-A M.R.S.A.
§ 3001, the Constitution of Maine, Article VIII, Part Second,
and pursuant to 7 M.R.S.A. § 281 et seq.
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates,
the following terms have the meanings stated below:
FOOD or FOOD PRODUCTS
Any food or food product intended for human consumption,
including, but not limited to, milk or milk products, meat or meat
products, poultry or poultry products, fish or fish products, seafood
or seafood products, cider or juice, acidified foods or canned fruits
or vegetables.
STATE AND CITY FOOD LAW
Any provision of Title 7 or Title 22 of the Maine Revised
Statutes, or rules adopted under Title 7 or Title 22 of the Maine
Revised Statutes, or provision of the City of Augusta Code that regulates
direct producer-to consumer transactions.
Producers and processors of local food intended for direct producer-to-consumer
transactions in the City of Augusta shall be exempt from state and
City licensure and inspection under state and City food laws. In accordance
with Section 284 of the Maine Food Sovereignty Act, the State of Maine and the City of Augusta shall not enforce
state and City food laws with respect to direct producer-to-consumer
transactions.
In accordance with Section 285 of the Maine Food Sovereignty
Act, the exemption provided in §
153-3 of this chapter does not apply to any meat or poultry product inspection and licensing requirements that are specified under applicable federal acts.