Gober, the co-op director in Missouri, was arrested for questioning the authority of inspection agents to enter a private, non-commercial food club. Critics argue that this incident is just one of many examples of government regulatory overreach in the nation’s food supply.
Wyatt Gober, the director of New Melle Food Co-op, explained to The Epoch Times that he was charged with contempt during a court appearance on March 19 after seeking clarification on the rules that allowed inspectors from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to enter the private establishment. Despite never denying entry to the officials, Gober asked them to provide the authority that granted them permission to enter the co-op, which was a private place for members only.
Gober stated, “I never told these agents that they couldnât enter the co-op, but since this was a private place that was for members only, I felt I was obligated to ask for clarification on what they were doing. I wasnât seeking any type of conflict. All I was doing was trying to understand what was going on.”
After the interaction with the inspection agents, Gober was brought before Missouri Courts Judge Deborah Jean Alessi. When he questioned the judge about the state’s authority to enter the private co-op, he was arrested for contempt and confined to jail. Gober expressed shock at being arrested for simply asking a question.
In her ruling, Judge Alessi cited a Missouri regulation granting the state “free access at all reasonable hours” to food-related establishments. However, Gober argues that these rules should not apply to private agreements among individuals, such as the food club members who signed a contract to share different foods.
Gober was eventually released after agreeing to allow state inspectors to enter the premises. He believes his arrest violated his rights and those of the co-op members. Despite the negative impact on business due to restrictions placed on selling certain items, Gober remains committed to upholding the rights of individuals in private food clubs.
Gober expressed that he is still receiving overwhelming support from individuals across the political spectrum who are upset about what they see as a breach of their self-autonomy.
He believes that this issue goes beyond just his arrest or the food co-op, but is about people’s rights to choose the nutrition they believe is best for themselves from nature.
âIâm not giving up,â he emphasized. âWe all need to stand together and fight for our rights.â
