The Amish Are Coming! The Amish Are Coming!

That's what the state of Maryland would have you believe, as government busybodies masquerading as health department officials have begun swooping in on farmers markets and threatening the viability of local Amish businesses with suffocating bureaucratic licensing and regulatory requirements.

Here's but a glimpse at some of the inane mandates dictated by Maryland's food police:

Products that require licensing through the state include relishes and pickled products, butter, milk, cheese and yogurt, and canned products. Canned products require additional training from the state. Eggs must be clean, with no cracks, fresh, labeled and in cartons, and refrigerated. This posed a concern for the Amish, who do not refrigerate eggs but said they never sell those more than seven days old. Poultry can be sold directly on the farm, but meat must go through a U.S. Department of Agriculture-certified facility. Eggs must be labeled on each carton, but only once on a case from a wholesale seller.

Each processing license for products sold costs $350. Vendors must also submit a recipe for each item’s different sizes. For example, a 12-ounce jar of grape jelly needs a separate recipe and a separate fee than the same grape jelly in a 16-ounce jar, and for each vendor. Some of the Amish women voiced concerns that the dozens of baked good recipes they use would cost thousands of dollars and lots of precious time.

Remember, Maryland, this is all being done for your own good. Clearly none of us is capable of determining what to put into our own bodies.

I particularly appreciate this comment by Amish farmer Uria Yoder: "Our customers come for the food we sell that doesn't look like the store-bought food. We're doing it well as it is so why not leave well enough alone?"

If only it were that easy, Mr. Yoder.

What's next, Maryland? Harassing kids with lemonade stands and monitoring church bakes sales?

Comments

[Allen]

I'm with you, I don't see the need at all for this sort of thing.

That aside, has there been some problems in MD with this that would cause this to become an issue for the MD food nannies? Or since the usual avenues are insanely safe and marching to their tune, they're just looking for something to do?

[trevor]

No problems at all. The state harasses us because it can, and this is a nice way for it to make some extra revenue. Don't ever fall into the trap of thinking the government gives one fat shit about anyone but itself.