New York (November 3, 2021) – Noreen Springstead, executive director of WhyHunger, issued the following statement regarding the passage of Maine’s constitutional amendment ‘Right to Produce, Harvest, and Consume Food Amendment’ which was passed yesterday. The amendment – the first of its kind in the nation - protects the ability for Maine residents to grow, raise, harvest, produce and consume the food of their own choosing for their own nourishment, sustenance, bodily health and well-being:

“Maine’s passage of the Right to Food is a transformative step in ensuring the protection of food as an unequivocal basic human right. For the first time ever in this country the human right to food has been guaranteed in a state’s constitution, and we celebrate all those involved –  especially the grassroots leaders, small-scale food producers and activists – for helping ratify this monumental provision that protects critical tools to help end hunger and build food sovereignty, while propping up local autonomy.

It is our hope that this historic amendment and its protections – while long overdue – serve as an inspiration to states nationwide and further sparks dialogue and reform centered around ensuring the right to food. This is truly a critical moment for all those working to end hunger once and for all.”