An Illinois legislative package aims to get more local farmers and small businesses into the marketplace.
It streamlines farmers market regulations, which currently vary by county. The measure also expands the sale of homemade foods and makes it easier for producers to sell raw milk. State Representative Sonya Harper of Chicago supports the measure.
"It is of the utmost importance that we remove as many barriers as possible to allow local farmers and food producers to sell their goods to people who really need and want to buy them," she said. "Food is medicine, right? It is a basic necessity of life and good health."
Another bill lets farmers apply for a state license to grow hemp and sell hemp-based products.