A state Department of Agriculture and Markets ban on the practice by cheese sellers of selling fresh sliced cheese at farmers' markets has drawn the disapproval of North Country State Sen. Patty Ritchie.

Ritchie said that New York consumers who care about fresh, local food should be unhappy about state bureaucrats' efforts to require many farmers' markets to sell only plastic-wrapped cheese, unless they take costly steps like installing specialized sinks with hot water at outdoor farmers markets.

“We’re working hard to promote farmers' markets, and fresh, locally grown foods to help farmers, help our local economies and create jobs,” said Ritchie. “But rules like this will make it harder for farmers, and turn away customers who won’t be able to get what they want.”

The move comes as the result of the agency applying “food processing” regulations to the community markets.

Ritchie said she will introduce legislation to specifically exempt farmers' markets from those rules.

In the meantime, the senator is urging the department to reconsider its interpretation of the rule.