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Washington SB 5107

Would have increased the annual sales limit from $35,000 to $50,000. Would have increased the sales limit every 2 years to account for inflation, instead of every 4 years.

Washington HB 1706

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

Episode 100: Where Are They Now?

In this very special 100th episode, previous guests come back on to share an update of what’s changed since they were last on the show, what’s surprised them, and what they’ve learned along the way

Washington

Washington is one of the most difficult states for starting a cottage food operation. It is very complicated to get a cottage food permit… almost as complex as setting up a commercial food business. And yet, Washington’s cottage food law is fairly limited, only allowing $35,000 of sales per year, prohibiting indirect sales (to restaurants,… [read more]

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.

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.

Washington HB 1258

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

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.

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.

Clumsy Crow Baking

Clumsy Crow Baking is a home-based microbakery turning local grains into artisan breads, hand-shaped bagels and soft German pretzels. I use mostly home equipment and sell directly to customers from my Pullman home under the Washington State Cottage Food Act. I sell bread subscriptions. It’s like a bread club or Community Supported Bakery: You subscribe… [read more]