The Baker County Board of Commissioners is considering adopting a food sovereignty ordinance proposed by a local couple who contend the ordinance would make it easier for food producers to supply their products to residents.

Commissioners discussed the proposed ordinance during their Aug. 2 meeting. Commissioners also approved a new labor contract with the union representing most employees from the sheriff’s office, parole and probation and 911 dispatch center employees, and approved the purchase of three pickup trucks for the road department. Elected officials, including Sheriff Travis Ash, aren’t union members.

Food sovereignty ordinance

Baker County is considering adopting a food sovereignty ordinance, which would, among other things, prohibit any government licensing that might “prohibit the free exchange of any consumable products between individuals in the county.”

Arthur and Lindianne Sappington presented the proposal to commissioners, and argued that this ordinance will finally allow Baker County to recognize the “God-given right” to consume locally produced food.

“Free the producers, free the processors to do what they do naturally,” Lindianne said. “It doesn’t force anyone to buy local food, it gives them the option.”

Foods that could be sold would include raw milk and produce and locally slaughtered meat.

The Sappingtons said the ordinance would alleviate pressure on local farmers, and will allow them to better compete with large corporations. They both argue that this will help create a competitive market desperately needed by family farmers.

“How many dairies do we have left in this county? How many meat-packers do we have? How many ranchers were consolidated? That’s not saving this county’s future production viability,” Arthur said.

Commissioner Christina Witham said that she likes the idea of giving restaurants the choice to opt in. However, Commissioner Bruce Nichols is concerned about the lack of oversight, such as U.S. Department of Agriculture certification of meat-processing facilities. Without regulation the chances for food-borne illness could potentially increase, Nichols said.

The proposed ordinance, however, states that any person who chooses to buy a consumable product from a local producers would accept “full responsibility for their choice.”

For such an ordinance to be in effect within the Baker City limits, the city council would need to adopt an ordinance recognizing the county ordinance.

Commissioners tabled the ordinance discussion pending a review from the county’s attorney.

More information about the proposal is available at BakerCountyOregonFoodChoice.com.

Labor contract

The three-year contract includes pay raises of 8% for the first year, 5% for the second year and 3% for the final year.

The union members have been working under terms of the previous contract for more than a year. The new contract covers the fiscal years 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25. The contract continues through June 30, 2025. The pay raises for the first year are retroactive to July 1, 2022.

Truck purchases

Commissioners approved the purchase of three new pickup trucks for the road department, for a total of $161,130. The department hasn’t bought any new trucks since 2018, and its current fleet of 14 trucks averages 16 years old.