By Bob Katzen

The Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture’s hearing also included legislation that would allow licensed raw milk farmers to deliver raw milk directly to the consumer. Current law allows only the on-farm sale of raw milk. The measure also allows raw milk farmers to sell raw milk from their farm stands even if the stand is not contiguous to their raw milk dairy.

The bill would also allow farmers to sell raw milk to consumers through third-party cooperative buying clubs. This would allow consumers to join together and have the milk delivered to a nearby location so each individual consumer does not have to travel miles to the few farms that sell on-site.

“Our farms and farmers struggle and allowing the sale of raw milk off farm premises, such as at a Farmers Market, not only helps farmers economically but makes it easier for consumers,” said sponsor Sen. Anne Gobi (D-Spencer).