Adoption Of the Town Of Lincoln Local Food Sovereignty Ordinance

This item is presented for Council consideration of adopting a Local Food Sovereignty Ordinance pursuant to 7 M.R.S.
55 281—286 and 30-A M.R.S. 5 3001 (municipal home rule authority).
The proposed ordinance is based directly on the Maine Municipal Association\’s 2025 model ordinance, updated to
reflect statutory amendments effective September 24, 2025 (PL 2025, c. 309).
The Maine Food Sovereignty Act authorizes municipalities to adopt ordinances governing traditional foodways and
direct producer-to-consumer transactions. Adoption of a local ordinance allows the State to refrain from enforcing
certain state licensing and inspection requirements for qualifying direct transactionsnccurring within municipal
boundaries.

The proposed ordinance:
Mirrors current statutory definitions in 7 M.R.S. 5282;
Applies only to direct producer-to-consumer transactions;
Includes the mandatory livestock and poultry carve-out required under 7 M.R.S. 5285;
Does not alter state or federal meat and poultry inspection requirements;
Maintains compliance with Title 22, Chapter 562-A; and
Includes a standard severability clause.

The ordinance is intended to provide clarity to local producers and consumers while ensuring the Town remains
within the authority granted by state law and does not conflict with mandatory inspection requirements.
If adopted, the ordinance will become effective upon adoption.