Originally published at: Live Free and Pickle? Hands off our pickles say the Free Staters of New Hampshire | Free Keene
Free Stater led protest outside Manchester city hall against a draconian anti-american anti-granite stater ordinance that led to a city inspector sending a threatening letter to a man canning and giving away pickles
In the suppsoedly free state of New Hampshire free staters from accross New Hampshire came out to protest and support a man attacked by the health department this past Tuesday. As the Executive Director of the Free State Project stated in a newsletter sent out to free staters: “In the Free State, we do not abide even the small tyrannies”.
The City of Manchester is challenging the right of residents to give away homemade foods, specifically pickles. Recently, a man named Daniel Mowery received a “cease and desist” letter from the city health department. This letter ordered him to stop distributing his homemade pickles and stated that he needs a permit and a commercial kitchen license to continue. Mowery, who has been canning food since he was 20, gives away his creations for free, only accepting money when a friend offered it as a thank you. The health department threatened him with fines and legal action if he did not comply.
Come and take it
Mowery is not alone; another resident, Kamryn Downs, faced a similar situation with her home bakery, Granite Crust Cottage Bakery. After promoting her baked goods on social media and gaining popularity, she also received a cease and desist order, forcing her to close her business. Downs expressed frustration, arguing that her kitchen is likely cleaner than commercial ones, and showed willingness to be inspected.
Free staters also have a history of selling baked goods and other foods from meat and dairy to bread and whole meals. Frequently these occur at potlucks, but also market day events held throughout the state, and at times out of peoples homes to other like-minded individuals. A potluck is itself a communal gathering where guests contributes dishes of food to be shared.
Manchester Alderman Meeting
In response, there was significant backlash in New Hampshire, with protests occurring outside a Manchester Alderman meeting. Many protesters, including members of the Free State movement, advocated for the city to comply with state homesteading laws. During the meeting, residents voiced their concerns and proposed changes to city policies regarding home-based food distribution. The aldermen decided to review the issue further in October, leaving the outcome uncertain but highlighting the resistance against the city’s regulations.