Institute for Justice Applauds Signing of HB 1565, Which Will Expand Food Freedom for All of New Hampshire

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/21/2024

CONTACT: Phillip Suderman, [email protected], (850) 376-4110

ARLINGTON, Va.—HB 1565, a bill that would remove processed acidified food from the definition of potentially hazardous food, has been signed by Gov. Sununu and will go into effect on August 13, 2024. The bill will pave the way for home-based food sellers to sell more products such as pickled vegetables to the public.

“This is a positive step forward for home-based food producers and consumers alike,” said Meagan Forbes, Director of Legislation and Senior Legislative Counsel. “Food freedom is an increasingly important and vital way for Americans to make ends meet and an opportunity to increase choice for those looking for new ways to supplement their tables with locally made and grown food. This is about neighbors helping neighbors and makes everyone better off.”

New Hampshire’s last major expansion for food freedom was in 2011 with amendments to the Food Service Licensure Act. The law authorizes two types of cottage food operations in New Hampshire: Those that are exempt from the state’s Homestead License licensing and those that are not.

New Hampshire is also in the process of conducting an interim study to further increase the types of food home-based and artisanal sellers can sell to willing customers.

IJ’s National Food Freedom Initiative is a nationwide campaign that brings a variety of legal challenges and legislative efforts to laws that interfere with the ability of people to buy, sell, grow, or advertise different foods. As the nation’s leading experts on home kitchen laws, IJ has helped change the law in more than 20 states.  

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To arrange interviews on this subject, journalists may contact Phillip Suderman, IJ’s Communications Project Manager at [email protected] or (850) 376-4110. More information on the subject is available at: https://ij.org/issues/economic-liberty/homemade-food/