🚨 ATTENTION FLORIDIANS 🚨
Do you enjoy chicken from small farms? If yes, READ BELOW!
Florida is proposing a major change to how “dressed poultry” is defined for limited poultry producers. Under Notice 29655730, FDACS would now require poultry to be sold with the head, feet, and viscera (organs) intact—a dramatic shift from the previous understanding that allowed eviscerated whole birds with the head and feet removed.
As a consumer, is this something you want? If yes, great! If NO, TAKE ACTION TO BE HEARD.
🗓️ Comments are due to FDACS by July 3
📧 Email Brenda.Noble@FDACS.gov with your concerns
👇 Here's a sample message you can send:
Subject: Comment on Proposed Rule – Notice 29655730
Dear Ms. Noble,
I am writing to express concern about the proposed definition change for “dressed poultry” under Notice 29655730. Requiring limited poultry producers to leave the head, feet, and viscera intact dramatically deviates from the previously accepted standard of eviscerated whole birds with the head and feet removed.
This change would harm small farms like mine that have built a customer base around convenient, clean, ready-to-cook poultry. Most consumers are not equipped or willing to process birds themselves, and this requirement will likely discourage purchases, reduce sales, and damage trust in local meat producers.
It also contributes to food waste. When we as producers process birds on-farm, we can repurpose nearly every part—feet can be dehydrated for dog treats, organs can be safely composted, and waste can be managed responsibly. If consumers receive a bird with head, feet, and internal organs included, those parts often end up in the landfill, especially when there’s only one bird to process at home. This undermines both sustainability and food system efficiency.
We urge FDACS to reconsider this change and retain the previous standard that allows for properly slaughtered, defeathered, and eviscerated birds with head and feet removed. This approach has worked for years and supports both food safety and local food access without placing unnecessary burdens on small farms and consumers.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide input.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Farm Name]
[City, FL]
📎 Link to Proposed Rule:
flrules.org/Gateway/View_not…
Let’s make our voices heard. This matters.
#SupportSmallFarms #FloridaAg #PoultryProducers #FarmPolicy #FoodFreedom #florida #poultry