WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (D-Va.-07) and Congressman Jim Baird (R-Ind.-04) introduced the Livestock Owned by Communities to Advance Local (LOCAL) Foods Act to better support small-scale meat producers in rural communities.
“After speaking with a small, family-run farm owner in Culpeper, I knew we had to do something to make it easier to get meat from farm to table safely,” said Vindman. “I’m proud to partner with Congressman Baird on this commonsense bill that gives local producers the independence they’ve earned. Farmers are the backbone of our Commonwealth, and I’ll always fight to make sure they have the resources they need to thrive.”
The LOCAL Foods Act would codify current USDA guidelines under the Federal Meat Inspection Act of 1906’s (FMIA) ‘Personal-Use Exemption.’ This would allow local farmers to slaughter livestock on the same farm where it was raised, while still maintaining strict food safety standards, to avoid tedious USDA inspections.
“Hoosiers producing meat for themselves and their families should not be forced to jump through burdensome regulations,” said Baird. “I’m proud to work with Congressman Vindman on this commonsense, bipartisan legislation to support Indiana’s farmers as well as give Hoosiers access to local meat and the ability to feed themselves and their communities, free from excessive government overreach.”
BACKGROUND
The LOCAL Foods Act allows livestock owners to sell live animals — either whole or in shared ownership — directly to consumers, who may then designate agents to handle slaughter, processing, or transportation. This process avoids continuous USDA inspection at federally certified facilities, as long as the animal’s identity and chain of custody are properly maintained.
The legislation promotes local food access, empowerment for small-scale producers, and stronger rural economies by enabling consumers to directly access locally raised meat.
Full bill text can be found here.
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