PLEASE NOTE: Legislative Information cannot perform research, provide legal advice, or interpret Maine law. For legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney.
An Act To Require Disclosure of the Origin of Certain Products Sold at Farm Stands
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas,  the number of farm stands operating in the State increases markedly in May; and
Whereas,  it is desirable that this legislation take effect prior to this seasonal increase; and
Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  7 MRSA §416  is enacted to read:
§ 416. Farm stand
 
1.  Definitions.     As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
 
A.  "Farm stand" means a roadside stand at which locally grown farm products are offered for direct sale to the public and that is operated by a farmer or by a person who purchases the majority of the products sold at the farm stand from farmers.
 
2.  Products.     A product sold at a farm stand that was not grown by the owner of the farm stand must have the name and location of the farm where the product was grown affixed to the product or displayed on a sign in close proximity to the product.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
 
SUMMARY
This bill defines "farm stand" and requires that any product that was not grown by the person operating the farm stand must be labelled in such a way as to identify the product's origin.