I Like it Raw, I Like it Legal

A recent article, Raw Milk Rebellion, on Reason hits home because I’ve been enjoying raw dairy for four years. Legally, from a farm I own shares in. If I otherwise wanted a lick of raw milk, I could be sent to jail, along with the dealer. And no, “raw milk” is not a new fancy term for blow. It’s the white stuff you dunk cookies in.

In short, the article talks about fervent efforts by the California legislature to ban the sale of raw milk in a state known for its high standards in organic and natural food production. Reading about such idiocy has sparked a latent ire I have with government regulation of the food industry. Such initiatives indicate that the government thinks people cannot choose for themselves. The article provides a thorough exchange on both sides of the issue, so I won’t elaborate - go read it.

However, I think the following story illustrates why this topic is close to my heart and the disastrous impact government regulations set with no context can have.

I’d like you to meet my farmer: His name is Richard, and he runs Family Farms Co-Op with two other families in Vandalia, Michigan. Every two weeks he comes to Detroit, after stops in Chicago and Ann Arbor, bringing high quality raw cream, milk, cheese, and various other meat and dairy products. His animals are fed pesticide-free grass, and treated humanely. As an omnivore, I try to make ethical meat choices and Richard’s business fills that need.

Too bad the Michigan Department of Agriculture and State Police thought I needed help making that choice.

Despite Richard adhering to state law regarding sale of his products through the co-op arrangement with customers-as-owners, he was tracked, sting-operation style for months. One day, he was stopped en-route to Ann Arbor, MI and his property, equipment, and inventory was seized. Computers and files taken, milk poured out. The same day, agents seized property from his business partners and drop-off destinations.

Can you imagine what they found on the hard drive? Probably an email or two from me: “Hey there, I’ll take cream and two cartons of eggs next Friday, thanks!”

However, the government sensed something more threatening. They felt there could have been “a violation of the Michigan law to distribute misbranded products and unpasteurized dairy…” and “…a whole variety of things.”

Thank god the state is taking care of a whole variety of things for me. I’m terribly frightened of a whole variety of things. I mean, what would I do if a whole variety of things weren’t regulated? God knows what a whole variety of things can do if they get out of hand.

The needless harassment of a wonderful businessman who provides a delicious, quality product at a fair price shows what is so very wrong with the government these days. Think about the wasted taxpayer money and government resources that went to cracking down on the legal sale of raw milk to private citizens who sign a contract saying they want it. So much for jobs creation, eh?

The great news is that Richard’s customers helped him get up and running again in short order, and he is back in business. He never did anything wrong, and his product sells itself. In fact, if you are thinking of getting raw dairy or just buying from local farmers, Find Your Own!