State Sen. Dan Innis filed legislation Tuesday he says will protect homestead food producers from local regulators in the wake of a cease-and-desist letter from Manchester health officials to a resident ordering him to stop selling homemade pickles from his home — a controversy dubbed “picklegate” by many.

State law already exempts home cooks who sell homemade foods like bread, cookies, jams, and pickles from state licensing requirements under specific conditions, but the city health department told Holt Avenue resident Daniel Mowery the exemption does not apply in Manchester.

“Home-based preparation, including canning and jarring for sale, is not permitted in the City of Manchester,” the letter said. “Continued operation without a valid permit may result in enforcement actions, includin

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