Cottage Food Laws the Next Step for Washington?

Cottage food laws allow people to sell low-risk products made in unlicensed kitchens directly to consumers.  Fourteen states (including North Carolina and New Hampshire) currently have these laws, and three more are proposing laws soon.  In Washington, most value-added products must be made in commercial kitchens.  What are your thoughts on this? Are safety concerns valid? Could promoting value-added products increase revenue for local farms?

Here is more information from Traverse City Record Eagle on a cottage food law recently passed in Michigan:

A new state law will make it easier for kitchen magicians to get their homemade products into consumers’ hands.

A Cottage Food Law approved in Lansing last week allows people to make and store certain foods in an unlicensed home kitchen, and sell that product directly to consumers at places like farmers markets, farm and roadside stands, and similar venues.

Foods covered under the law generally are non-hazardous items that don’t require time or temperature controls to ensure safety. Such foods include breads, cakes, cookies, popcorn, fruit pies, dry herbs and mixtures, flavored vinegars, and jams and jellies that can be stored at room temperature.

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Related posts:

1. Washington Cottage Food Law Headed to the Governor
2. Help Needed with WA State Cottage Food Bill
3. Improving Access to Healthy Food In Washington

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