Americans for Prosperity-New Jersey Applauds Legal Challenge to Jersey’s Home Baker Ban

TRENTON, NJ – Americans for Prosperity-New Jersey (AFP-NJ) today applauded the Institute for Justice and New Jersey Home Bakers Association for filing a lawsuit against the New Jersey Department of Health that asks the court to strike down the state’s home bakers ban. New Jersey is the only state that bans home bakers from selling their baked goods for profit. The Institute for Justice had filed a similar lawsuit in Wisconsin in January 2016, and a Wisconsin court declared the ban unconstitutional in June 2017. AFP-NJ has long supported ending the ban.

“Let’s get the food police out of the way. New Jerseyans shouldn’t need special government permission slips to sell home-made baked goods and it is the kind of senseless regulation that drives people crazy,” said AFP-NJ Grassroots Director Tony Howley. “This ban is unfair and robs New Jersey home bakers of the ability to follow their passion and provide for their families. It’s time to free the food and recognize the benefits home baking for profit can bring to entrepreneurs and food-loving New Jerseyans.”

New Jersey residents have the right to earn a living by selling safe and delicious homemade foods, but current law in New Jersey prohibits them from doing so. Violators of the ban face up to $1,000 in fines for a first offense. The Institute for Justice filed the lawsuit on behalf of plaintiffs Heather Russinko of Sussex County, Liz Cibotariu of Ocean County, and Martha Rabello of Union County, all three of whom are part of the Leadership Committee of the NJ Home Bakers Association and all three of whom would like to sell their home-baked goods to help support their families.

The ban is ostensibly intended for public safety, but home-baked goods are already legally sold for charity or given away. If home kitchens are safe for nonprofit bake sales, they’re safe enough for for-profit sales, too. The ban only serves to reduce competition among businesses and deprive New Jerseyans of tasty treats as well as opportunities to succeed.

Background:

Video: Generation Opportunity Lives Dangerously and Eats Home Baked Goods (12/7/17)

AFP-NJ Celebrates Court Decision to Overturn Home Bakers’ Ban in Wisconsin, Says New Jersey Next (6/1/17)

AFP-NJ Applauds Atlantic City Council for Passing Resolution Supporting Overturn of Home Baker Ban (8/10/17)

AFP-NJ Applauds Pohatcong Township for Support of Home Baker Freedom (9/20/17)

Op-Ed: It’s Time to End Trenton’s Prohibition on Home Baked Goods (7/12/17)

Wisconsin Farmers Challenge Ban on Home-Baked Goods (1/13/16)

Victory for Wisconsin Home Bakers (6/1/17)

For further information or an interview, reach Lorenz Isidro at LIsidro@afphq.org or (703) 887-7724. 

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) exists to recruit, educate, and mobilize citizens in support of the policies and goals of a free society at the local, state, and federal level, helping every American live their dream – especially the least fortunate. AFP has more than 3.2 million activists across the nation, a local infrastructure that includes 36 state chapters, and has received financial support from more than 100,000 Americans in all 50 states. For more information, visit www.AmericansForProsperity.org

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