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Invest In Yourself with Stephanie Wiley

Stephanie Wiley of Whitefish, MT shares how the tragic loss of her son inspired her to start a cookie business, which she has quickly grown by seeking help from others and investing in the business

California

California passed their first cottage food law (AB 1616 – The California Homemade Food Act) in 2012, and it went into effect on January 1st, 2013. The law was amended in 2013 (AB 1252) and 2021 (AB 1144 & AB 831). California has two classes of cottage food operations (CFOs): Class A & Class B…. [read more]

Vermont

Vermont was the first state to create laws specifically for home bakers, and they still lead the way as one of the only states to allow almost any food item to be produced and sold from the home.   Like most states, Vermont has a specific Home Bakery license for those that only want to… [read more]

Healthy Grains, Wealthy Gains with Tamara Ketchian

Tamara Ketchian of Orange, CT sells gluten-free vegan granola and shares how she’s gone from stay-at-home mom to starting a cottage food bakery to now scaling her business with a commercial kitchen

Don’t Be Afraid Of Failure with Jana LaViolette

Jana LaViolette of Clovis, NM shares her incredible journey from cottage food to food truck to storefront, and how she overcame many obstacles by constantly trying new things and never giving up

Wisconsin

Wisconsin has two avenues for selling homemade food: this ruling, which allows the sale of nonperishable baked goods, and the pickle bill, which allows the sale of some types of canned goods. Under this ruling, home cooks can only sell nonperishable baked goods directly to anyone in the state, and there is no limit on… [read more]

The Freeze Dried Trend with Janna Newcomb Walworth

Janna Newcomb Walworth of Choctaw, OK has rapidly grown her cottage food business selling freeze dried candy, fruits, veggies, etc, and shares why she doesn’t think this trend will end anytime soon

Live In The Moment with Alisa Woods

Alisa Woods of Des Moines, IA shares how she promotes her home bakery by networking with others, getting TV spots, building Instagram followers, competing in state fairs, and living in the moment

Back To Basics with Lora Friemel

Lora Friemel of Scranton, AR shares how she sells homemade jams, jellies, and other canned goods as a way to support her lifelong dream of running a sustainable homestead for her family

Backyard Bakery

It’s hard to get a good loaf of sourdough at a reasonable price. We make all types of sourdough items, including: Faithful sourdough loafs Multigrain Whole Grain Herb and cheese Oat Focaccia bread Bagels Pizza dough Our bread is neither artisan nor fancy, but it does taste delicious. We use all natural ingredients and organic… [read more]

Beautiful Chaos with Chelsa Smith

Chelsa Smith of Des Moines, IA sells sourdough bread from her wildly successful home microbakery and shares many of the ups and downs of building her business while finding work-life balance

Michigan HB 4461

Would have increased the sales limit from $25,000 to $55,000 per year. 

Men Bake Cookies with Mike Skyring

Mike Skyring of South Lyon, MI shares how he started a gourmet cookie bakery totally by accident, and how he quickly grew it into a very successful business by leveraging many marketing techniques

Anything Is Possible with Emily Vanlandingham

Emily Vanlandingham of New Orleans, LA runs a home bakery that focuses on school celebrations, and shares the triumphs, lessons, and challenges that have come from creating her very unique business

Think Like A CEO with Jen Morris

Jen Morris shares so many lessons from her crazy journey building a popular cupcake business in Collingdale, PA, including promoting yourself, scaling up, getting published, and validating products

Michigan HB 4333

Would have increased the annual sales limit from $25,000 to $40,000

Baking Saved My Life with Christina Marquez

Christina Marquez of Antioch, IL shares how she built a cottage food bakery amidst many life challenges by following her passion, caring deeply about her customers, and focusing on serving others

Texas SB 1247

Would have allowed in-state shipping of products.

Massachusetts H 915

Similar to H 758. Would have allowed producers to sell nonperishable products directly to consumers within the state, without needing a license or permit from the health department.

California AB 1325

Increases meal cap from 60 to 90 meals per week. Increases sales limit from $50k to $100k per year.

Massachusetts H 2153

Would have created a new law to allow “home kitchen operations” (AKA micro-restaurants) to sell ready-to-eat meals and food.

Texas SB 331

Would have removed the home address label requirement, requiring producers to list their zip code and phone number on labels instead.

Texas SB 328

Would have allowed indirect sales of products at stores, restaurants, etc.

Serve The People with Lee Thomas

Lee Thomas runs a legal home BBQ business in San Leandro, CA and shares how he leveraged his political connections to help legalize MEHKOs (micro-enterprise home kitchen operations) in his county

Minnesota SF 1563

Would have increased the sales limit from $78,000 to $85,000. Would have increased the exemption limit from $5,000 to $8,500.

Texas SB 829

Would have been a massive improvement to their cottage food law. Would have allowed certain indirect sales through stores, restaurants, and at farmers markets and farm stands. Would have increased the sales limit to $100,000 per year. Would have allowed certain perishable baked goods (e.g. cheesecake). Would have removed the home address requirement. Would have… [read more]

Wyoming SF 102

Allows producers to sell dairy products. Allows certain indirect sales and delivery capabilities via a “designated agent”.

Utah SB 151

Exempts minors from labeling requirements.

Georgia HB 287

Would have created a new law to allow “microenterprise home kitchens” (AKA micro-restaurants) to sell ready-to-eat meals and food.

Oklahoma SB 1038

Would have created a traditional food freedom law that would mainly benefit small farms by allowing them to sell certain items produced from the meat that they raise.

Growing A Movement with Lisa Kivirist

Lisa Kivirist of Browntown, WI shares an update on the past, present, and future of the cottage food and food freedom movements, and how she’s helping support them with many different resources

Washington HB 1500

Increases the sales limit from $25,000 to $35,000 per year. Increases the sales limit every four years to account for inflation. Requires producers to renew their permit every two years, instead of annually.

New Hampshire – HB 122

Would have changed their basic cottage food law for “homestead food operations” into a micro-restaurant law for meals prepared and served on the same day. Would have increased the sales limit from $35,000 to $50,000.

Arizona HB 2509

Would have replaced their current cottage food law with a food freedom law. Would have greatly expanded the types of products producers can sell, including perishable foods and certain items with meat. Would have required perishable foods to be delivered in-person. Would have added some restrictions to indirect sales of nonperishable foods.

Get Passionate About Sales with Amanda Schonberg

Amanda Schonberg of Baton Rouge, LA shares tons of business tips for generating more sales, building a following, managing mindset, improving time, growing an email list, and scaling up a bakery

Vegan Affair Bakery

Vegan Affair, for the Love of Baking! My name is Amanda, I am the owner and sole baker of Vegan Affair Bakery. I operate under Ohio’s Cottage Food Laws, which allow me to bake using my home kitchen. The original “Vegan Affair” called California it’s home, and was the brainchild of my amazingly creative cousin…. [read more]

South Carolina H 3214

Would have allowed a “residential food production operation” to run a micro restaurant in their home for up to 12 guests at a time. Unlike other micro restaurant bills, this one would require customers to consume the food in the producer’s home.

Oregon SB 643

Raises the sales limit from $20,000 to $50,000. Greatly expands the types of products producers can sell. Allows online sales & shipping of products. Allows certain indirect sales to retail stores. Removes the home address labeling requirement. Allows domestic kitchens to have pets in the home, with restrictions & a labeling requirement.

Two Cultures In One with Fawzeya Owda

Fawzeya Owda of Norwood, OH shares her unique journey from home bakery to commercial kitchen when her Palestinian-inspired cheesecake allowed her to build her own American Dream to support her family

The Feel Good Factor with Juno Rosales

Juno Rosales shares the incredible story of how she built an international brand by selling her frozen desserts from home in the Philippines before adding a second location in Los Angeles, CA

The Power Of Two with Heather & Corrie Miracle

Twins Heather & Corrie Miracle of Fairfax, VA share the backstory that led them to create their extremely popular Facebook group about marketing for sugar cookiers and other cottage food entrepreneurs

Find Work That Fulfills You with Jenny Berg

Jenny Berg of Bend, OR started baking sourdough bread during the pandemic and shares how she turned her new hobby into a home business that has finally given her a sense of fulfillment in her work.

Rhode Island

In 2022, Rhode Island passed H 7123, becoming the last state to allow all residents to sell homemade food. Prior to 2022, Rhode Island only had their Farm Home Food Manufacture law, which 99.8% of residents couldn’t use. This law allows anyone (not just farmers) to register as a “cottage food manufacturer”, which costs $65… [read more]

Rhode Island Farm Home Food Manufacture

This law is for farmers that sell over $2,500 of agricultural products per year. Non-farmers must use the Cottage Food Manufacture law, and farmers can use both laws. For 20 years (until 2022), this was Rhode Island’s only cottage food law. Under this law, farmers can sell many types of nonperishable products, and there is… [read more]

Rise Artisan Sourdough

Our menu items are hand-made and baked fresh to order. All breads are naturally leavened and slow fermented for at least 18 hours. Our signature artisan sourdough boule is made from only 3 ingredients: Flour, Water, and Salt.

Chocolate Is Therapy with Gary Knight

Gary Knight of Gardnerville, NV sells beautiful hand-decorated chocolates that he learned to make while overcoming his alcohol addiction and recovering from a traumatic brain injury.

River and Stone Tea

River & Stone Tea mills fresh, ceremonial grade matcha in the United States. Our premium Japanese matcha powder products are freshly milled in authentic matcha mills and are incredibly smooth and creamy. Say goodbye to the bitterness and astringency of lower quality matcha. River & Stone Tea is committed to offering the best matcha green… [read more]

How To Scale A Food Business with Annette Conrad

Annette Conrad of Mequon, WI shares how she massively scaled her home-based custom decorated cookie business by building a team, optimizing systems, and selling to event planners and corporate clients.

Missouri

Missouri has two different laws that allow homemade food sales, which combine to create an overall decent cottage food law. Producers can use both laws, if they’d like. Unlike this law, Missouri’s other cottage food law is not available to everyone in the state. But in the counties that do allow it, it allows producers… [read more]

The Competitive Cake Artist with Jewel Burgess

Jewel Burgess of Rancho Cordova, CA shares how she started a cottage food business selling realistic cake sculptures and what she’s learned from participating in four Food Network competitions.

The One-Woman Show with Amanda Luecke

Amanda Luecke of Maple Grove, MN shares how she built a thriving custom decorated cookie business with over 26k Instagram followers by focusing on her customers, community, & family.

The Burnt Out Baker with Jenni Reher

Jenni Reher of Mead, CO shares the rise and fall of her vegan donut bakery, how she grew it to 20 wholesale accounts, and why she decided to sell her business when it was doing better than ever.

Iowa Home Food Processing Establishment

Unlike most states, Iowa allows home cooks to sell most types of foods, including perishable products. After an update in 2022 (HF 2431), Iowa is the only state to allow products that contain some types of meat and poultry that are purchased. Home food processing establishments can sell their items at any venue, but they… [read more]

Iowa

Iowa has two different laws for home cooks, which combine to form possibly the best cottage food laws in the nation. Iowa has been allowing sales of homemade food for longer than any other state (since at least the 1980s). The cottage food law (described on this page) allows producers to sell almost all types… [read more]

Indiana

In 2022, Indiana passed a greatly improved cottage food law (HB 1149). Prior to 2022, producers could only sell at farmers markets and roadside stands. Under the current law, home-based vendors can sell most types of nonperishable foods directly to consumers within the state, including online sales and in-state shipping. There is no sales limit,… [read more]

South Dakota

South Dakota first passed a cottage food law in 2010, and amended it in 2011, 2020, & 2022. Producers can sell all types of nonperishable foods, plus some types of foods that most states don’t allow: perishable baked goods, home canned goods, pesto, frozen fruit, etc. However, those selling the latter must follow certain requirements…. [read more]

Mixing It Up with Cassie Menchhofer

Cassie Menchhofer of Celina, OH shares how she took her business to the next level by building an FDA-approved manufacturing facility to sell her dried soup, baking, and spice mixes across the country.

South Carolina

South Carolina first created a cottage food law in 2012, which was amended in 2018 and 2022. Producers can sell both directly to consumers, and indirectly to retail stores. Producers can sell their products online, and can ship them as well. There is no sales limit, and the producer doesn’t need to take a food… [read more]

Cupcakes In Full Bloom with Sarah Thongnopneua

Sarah Thongnopneua lives in San Anselmo, CA and shares how she grew her “bouCAKES” (floral cupcake bouquets) business from her home kitchen into a commercial kitchen & won a Food Network competition.

Can A Product Be Too Good? with Janna Paterno

Janna Paterno of Charleston, WV shares why she wasn’t making money in her custom-decorated cookie business, despite having phenomenal decorating skills and more customers than she could ask for.

Living Off The Land with Beatrice Lattimore

Beatrice Lattimore from Deland, FL shares how her family moved from the city into the country to start a farm and live off the land, and how she used the cottage food law to sell value-added products.

Kansas

Kansas has a good cottage food law, even though the rules for selling food are mostly determined by the ag department. Almost all types of nonperishable foods can be sold anywhere directly, including sales in other states. Indirect sales (via restaurants, stores, etc) are not allowed. There are even special rules that allow limited sales… [read more]

Illinois

For many years, Illinois had one of the most restrictive cottage food laws in the nation. Their first cottage food law in 2012 (SB 0840) only allowed cottage food operations to sell certain items at farmers markets. Even though an amendment in 2018 (HB 3063) removed the sales limit and greatly expanded the list of… [read more]

Georgia SB 578

Would have allowed micro-restaurants to sell most types of perishable food items from home

Iowa HF 2431

Changes “home bakeries” to “home food processing establishments”. Allows home food processing establishments to sell most types of homemade food, including perishable foods and items containing red meat and/or poultry (if the meat is from an approved source). Allows cottage food businesses to sell online and ship products. Allows cottage food businesses to sell acidified… [read more]

California SB 972

Would remove the sales limits for both the cottage food and MEHKO laws. Would also remove the production limits for MEHKOs. Would also allow mobile food facilities to operate under the MEHKO law.

Arizona HB 2781

Would have replaced the cottage food law with a food freedom law which would have allowed many types of perishable foods.

South Dakota HB 1322

Allows all nonperishable foods. Allows home canned goods, fermented foods, and some perishable foods (baked goods, sauces, frozen fruit), if certain requirements are met.

Michigan HB 5704

Would allow products to be sold online and be shipped. Would also allow products to be sold in food service establishments. Would also remove the $25k sales limit. Allows a producer to use a registration number on labels instead of their name and home address.

Black Coffee Ranch & Mercantile

Black Coffee Ranch is a family ranch and mercantile servicing central and south-central Montana via drop points. We provide grass-fed meats, raw milk, a variety of honey products, jams and other dry goods.

Hawaii SB 2888

Would have codified (put into law) Hawaii’s existing cottage food rules. Would have allowed direct, online, and indirect sales of all nonperishable foods. Would have allowed direct sales of perishable foods. Would have implemented a permit process with a fee.

Rhode Island H 7123

Creates a new law to allow anyone (not just farmers) to register as a “cottage food manufacturer” and sell up to $50k of nonperishable baked goods per year. Allows manufacturers to sell directly anywhere within the state, including selling online and shipping products within the state. Rhode Island becomes the last state to allow all… [read more]

Michigan HB 5671

Would have allowed products to be sold online and be shipped. Would have increased sales limit from $25k to $100k.

2021 Cottage Food Bills

2021 is a fresh start in so many ways, but as always, a new year means a new round of cottage food bills!

And what a big round it is! At least one-third of states are actively working on improving their cottage food law this year.

I actually can’t remember a year when there were this many cottage food amendments on the table. It reminds me of nearly a decade ago, when states were busy creating their initial cottage food laws.

In all likelihood, the pandemic, and the resulting surge of interest in cottage foods, is part of the push to improve the laws in many states.

California Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation

In 2018, California passed a new type of bill (AB 626), which allows for “microenterprise home kitchen operations” (MEHKOs). The law went into effect on January 1st, 2019. Under this first-of-its-kind law, home cooks can start micro-restaurants from home and sell virtually any kind of food. This varies greatly with most cottage food laws that… [read more]

Indiana HB 1149

Greatly expands the cottage food law by allowing all direct sales of almost all nonperishable foods (except acidified canned goods), including online sales and in-state shipping.

New York S 5951

Would have created a new law to allow “home kitchen operations” (AKA micro-restaurants) to sell ready-to-eat meals and food. Initially introduced in 2021. Reintroduced in 2023 (under S 1057).

Tennessee HB 813

Removes almost all restrictions for selling nonperishable food items. Allows indirect sales at retail stores. Changes labeling requirements. Removes restriction on having employees.

South Carolina S 506

Allows the sale of all nonperishable foods, instead of just “candy and baked goods”. Allows online sales and indirect sales at retail/grocery stores. Allows products to be shipped. Allows producers to replace their home address with an ID on product labels. Increases full exemption limit from $500 to $1,500.

Massachusetts H 862

Similar to H 465. Would allow producers to sell nonperishable products directly to consumers within the state, without needing a license or permit from the health department.

Massachusetts H 465

Similar to H 862. Would allow producers to sell nonperishable products directly to consumers within the state, without needing a license or permit from the health department.

Missouri HB 1697

Allows online sales and in-state shipping for sales of baked goods, jams, jellies, & herbs. Removes the $50k sales limit.

Washington HB 1258

Would have allowed home micro restaurants, similar to California’s MEHKO law

Florida HB 707

Would have allowed micro-restaurants known as “home kitchen operations”.

2021 Recap: A Record Year for the Cottage Food Industry

WOW… what a year it has been for our growing cottage food industry!

As I wrote about last year, the pandemic really highlighted the need for people to be able to sell their homemade food.

And in 2021, states responded in a BIG way! This year, more states improved their laws for selling homemade food than in any other year in history.

A Little Bit of Joy with Tracy Mancuso

Tracy Mancuso near Medford, OR shares how she built her successful custom cake business from home while raising young kids by leveraging social media and embracing her local community.

Illinois Public Act 102-0633 (SB 2007)

Massive amendment which allows all direct sales venues (including in-state shipping), adds restrictions for riskier food items, and adds a paid registration process

California AB 831

Requires CFOs to include key labeling info on public advertisements.

Kentucky

For many years, only Kentucky farmers could sell homemade food, leaving it as one of the last states without a basic cottage food law. But that changed in 2018 when the law was amended (HB 263) to make it available to everyone. With this law, home-based processors can make many types of non-perishable foods and… [read more]

Kentucky Microprocessor

Kentucky’s law for home-based microprocessors is only for those who want to sell acidified foods, low-acid canned goods, or low-sugar jams & jellies. To sell other types of homemade foods, Kentucky has a law for home-based processors, which is much less restrictive than this one. In order to use this law for home-based microprocessors, the producer… [read more]

North Dakota

In 2017, North Dakota passed the country’s second food freedom bill (HB 1433), modeled after Wyoming’s. Unlike most cottage food laws, this food freedom law allows producers to sell any type of food, as long as it doesn’t contain meat. There is one exception: those who raise a small amount of poultry can sell their… [read more]

Do Whatever It Takes with Whitney Singletary

Whitney Singletary of Berkeley, CA shares many of the obstacles she faced to build a successful nut-flavored cookie business from her driveway and eventually grow into a brick-and-mortar storefront.

New Mexico

For many years, New Mexico had the most complex cottage food law of any state. However, in 2021 they passed the Homemade Food Act (HB 177), which greatly improved their law. Now producers can sell most non-perishable foods directly anywhere in the state, and there is no sales limit. Indirect sales (retail stores, restaurants, etc)… [read more]

Montana

Montana first created a cottage food law in 2015, but it was almost entirely replaced in 2021 with the passage of the Montana Local Food Choice Act (SB 199). This “food freedom” law removed almost all restrictions from selling homemade food, and it prevents government agencies from regulating a producer. To sell homemade food, a… [read more]

Montana Cottage Food

In 2015, Montana passed their first cottage food bill (HB 478), which is explained on this page. However, they now have a newer law, the Montana Local Food Choice Act (SB 199), also known as their food freedom law. That law almost entirely replaces this one. The only reason someone would use this cottage food… [read more]

New York

Before 2018, New York had a fairly restrictive law. Unlike other states that pass bills to improve their cottage food law, New York’s ag department improved the law themselves by creating rules, first in 2018 and again in 2020. Homemade food can now be sold anywhere within the state, including selling indirectly to stores and… [read more]

Alabama

Alabama created a cottage food law (SB 159) in 2014. Previously, producers could only sell non-perishable homemade food at farmers markets. In 2021, an amendment (SB 160) greatly expanded the list of allowed foods, removed the sales limit, allowed online sales, and allowed in-state shipping. Alabama allows direct sales of almost any type of non-perishable food,… [read more]

Mom By Day, Baker By Night with Daniela Zographos

Daniela Zographos of Anderson, SC shares how she niched down to only selling custom-decorated cake pops, which made her home bakery even more successful and gave her more time to spend with her kids.

Arkansas

Arkansas created a cottage food law in 2011 (Act 72), and it was amended three times (2017 Act 399, 2019 Act 775, & 2021 Act 306). However, in 2021, Arkansas replaced their cottage food law with the Food Freedom Act (SB 248), and it is now one of the best laws in the country! Under… [read more]

New Jersey

New Jersey has tried to pass countless cottage food bills, but one senator continues to prevent any of them from passing.

Florida

Florida’s cottage food law has improved significantly over time. After passing their first law (HB 7209) in 2011, they have passed three amendments: in 2017 they passed HB 1233, and in 2021 they passed HB 663 & HB 403. Florida now has a good cottage food law, especially since it is very easy for a… [read more]

Oklahoma HB 1032

The Homemade Food Freedom Act, which allows sales of non-perishable foods anywhere, and allows only direct sales of perishable foods (that don’t contain meat). It comes with a $75,000 sales limit.

Family, Freedom, & Pie with Kourtney Rojas

Kourtney Rojas of Anaheim, CA shares her long, organic journey into creating a successful home pie business that helps support her family and gave her the freedom to quit her job.

New Jersey 53 N.J.R. 1711(a)

Initial law that allows most nonperishable foods to be sold directly within the state, and sets a $50k sales limit

The Self-Taught Supermom with April Spencer

Cake decorator and sugar artist April Spencer from Harrod, OH shares how she sells custom cakes and lollipops from home and on Etsy while being a nearly full-time stay-at-home mom of 3 young children.

Bubba’s Bakehouse

Hey Y’all! We are a small home based bakery located in Myrtle Beach, SC. We specialize in Focaccia, which is an Italian bread.

Small Is Beautiful with Eric Sorensen

Eric Sorensen from Pullman, WA shares how he runs a profitable small side business in retirement by selling sourdough bread, bagels, pretzels, cookies, and more from his driveway and farmers markets.

The Resilient Baker with Justina Rucinski

Justina Rucinski from Burlington, IA shares how she resurrected her custom cookie business after being sexually assaulted by a supposed client, and how her experience impacted the cottage food industry.

New Jersey Finally Passes A Cottage Food Law!

After a 12 year battle, New Jersey finally has a cottage food law! They are the last state to create one, and they will be the last state to get the “pending” status on Forrager’s map.

Although the new cottage food rules passed on July 12th, they will not take effect until the rules get published by the Office of Administrative Law (OAL).

In other words, this law isn’t usable just yet. And once the law gets published (likely by mid-September), it’s not entirely clear how long it will take for the health department to start approving permits.

With over half of the states working on improving their cottage food law, 2021 already has been the biggest year ever for cottage food developments. New Jersey’s law is a big fat cherry on top of all of that!

Missy’s Cottage Bakery

I bake items to order on the day the order is picked up! Breads, Rolls, Cakes, Cupcakes, Specialty Cookies, Southern favorites like King Cakes & Beignets, Whoopies Pies, Sample Boxes with a variety of freshly baked items, and too much variety to list.

Alabama SB 160

Huge improvement which allows most non-perishable foods, removed the sales limit, and allows online sales and in-state shipping

Minnesota SF 958

Increased the sales limit to $78,000, increased the exemption sales limit to keep up with inflation, allowed producers to set up their businesses as LLCs, allowed some types of pet treats

Arkansas SB 248 (Act 1040)

The “Food freedom Act”, which replaced the cottage food law and allows almost all nonperishable foods to be sold almost anywhere, without government regulation

Three Melons Bake Shop

I specialize in custom decorated ’boutique’ sugar cookies.  I also offer cupcakes and cakes.

The Hungry Hawaiian Snack Co.

 Komo Mai!  Welcome to your favorite online source for Hawaiian treats, snacks and all your fundraising needs!  Hungry Hawaiian can provide you with mouth watering Island treats you remembered as a child – quick, easy and safe.  Hungry Hawaiian is a Hawaii owned and operated limited liability corporation on the Island of Oahu.  We provide excellent… [read more]

Putting Yourself Out There with Beverly Clutter

Beverly Clutter of Fairmont, WV shares how she organically built her successful side business by showcasing her custom decorated cookies on social media and focusing on serving others in her community.

Florida HB 663

The “Home Sweet Home Act” allowed shipping, increased the sales limit to $250k, and allowed cottage food businesses to be setup as an LLC or corporation

Florida HB 403

Prevented local governments from restricting or prohibiting home-based businesses

Indiana SB 185

Didn’t change the law, but created a working group to discuss ways to improve the cottage food law in the future

New Mexico HB 177

The Homemade Food Act, which greatly improved New Mexico’s cottage food law. It allows direct sales within the state of most non-perishable foods, with no sales limit. This law also prevents cities (like Albuquerque) from restricting these businesses.

Turning Up The Heat with Nathan & Nicole Parchman

Nathan & Nicole Parchman of O’Fallon, IL share how they produce and sell over 200 jars of salsa and pickles each week, and have grown from farmers market to wholesale to brick-and-mortar storefront.

CRUMB

Authentic Sourdough Microbakery

Montana SB 199

The Montana Local Food Choice Act, which allows direct intrastate sales of any homemade food that doesn’t contain meat

New York – S 5951

Would have created a new law to allow “home kitchen operations” (AKA micro-restaurants) to sell ready-to-eat meals and food. Reintroduced in 2022 and 2023 (under S 1057).

Go Big AND Go Home with Debbie George

Debbie George of Gilbert, AZ shares how she sold over 10,000 homemade custom cookies in her first year of business by going all-in, networking with other businesses, and focusing on B2B sales.

Rhode Island H 5758

Tried to allow anyone (not just farmers) to sell homemade food products, as well as expand sales venues and allowable products

California AB 1144

Allows CFOs to ship and fulfill orders with a 3rd party delivery service. Also increases the sales limit to $75k for Class A CFOs, and $150k for Class B CFOs. Also specifies that the sales limit can increase annually to adjust for inflation. Also removes the requirement that Class B CFOs need special permission to… [read more]

Dads Can Cake Too with Jeremy Davis

Jeremy Davis from Charlotte, MI runs a lucrative custom-decorated cake business from home while working a full-time job, taking care of his kids, and occasionally appearing on national television.

Wyoming HB 118

Allows people to sell eggs under the law, and clarifies that there should be as few restrictions as possible for businesses using this law

Alabama HB 12

A simple bill that aimed to add roasted coffee and gluten-free baking mixes to the list of allowed foods. With SB 160 passing, these foods (and many others) became allowed.

Iowa HF 319

Attempted to create a food freedom bill, which mimicked many features of other food freedom laws around the country. However, it would have only applied to farmers.

South Dakota HB 1121

Tried to create a food freedom bill, which would have been similar to some of the best food freedom laws around the country

Georgia R&R 40-7-19 Amendments

Made very minor adjustments to the cottage food rules, most notably lessening the requirements for water testing and using kitchen scales.

Washington HB 1258

Tried to allow microenterprise home kitchen operations, similar to California and Utah. It would have let people run mini-restaurants from home, albeit with a lot of restrictions.

2020 Cottage Food Industry Recap

2020 was not just a year full of changes for the nation and world.

It was also a year which changed the cottage food industry… sometimes for the worse, but mostly for the better.

There were a number of important storylines this year, and surprisingly, many of them were not pandemic-related.

In this year-end recap, I’ll give my take on the major events of 2020 that related to the cottage food industry.

Maryland

Maryland passed a very restrictive cottage food law (SB 550) in 2012, which limited sales to farmers markets and public events. Then from 2018 – 2020, three amendments significantly improved the law. In 2018, HB 1106 allowed other in-person, direct sales in the state, including mail order sales. In 2019, SB 290 allowed sales at… [read more]

District of Columbia

Washington D.C. started allowing homemade food sales in 2013, with the passage of the “Cottage Food Amendment Act of 2013” (B20-0168). Cottage food businesses can now sell most types of non-perishable homemade foods within the DC area at almost any venue, including wholesale and online sales. To become a cottage food business, producers need to… [read more]

Utah HB 94

Allows Utah residents to sell homemade meals, similar to California’s AB 626 from 2019. This law comes with many requirements and restrictions, but it doesn’t have California’s opt-in limitation.