Changes in cottage food laws help small producers

Articles in the paper and various Facebook posts show the growing interest in farmers markets locally and across the state. Sellers have been preparing special potions and crafts during the long winter while growers are planning their gardens to showcase seasonal fruits and vegetables for eventual buyers.

A lot of work has been done in the last couple of years dealing with small batch food products and what can be sold safely to the public. I co-sponsored the cottage food bill — HB478 — this session after the headaches I had with the “pickle” bill in 2013 which was eventually signed into law. It allowed the exchange of high acid foods, dried veggies and home brew without a permit.

Another bill this session addressing cottage food law was carried by Sen. Lea Whitford, D-Browning. SB31 has been signed into law and will exempt raw honey from requiring a license for farmers market sales. Flathead readers remember the “buzz” from a year ago centered on a local beekeeper and the county sanitation office.

Rep. Kathleen Williams-D, Bozeman, worked throughout the interim with county sanitarians and interested parties for a total revision of cottage food laws and brought HB478 for our vote this session. It will provide more opportunity than ever to test a product’s viability on the open market.

HB478 will allow the making of non-hazardous, small batch food items in your own kitchen to sell to consumers or at farmers markets. There will be no inspections unless there is an outbreak coming from the food or there’s a warranted complaint filed. There are requirements for labeling and a small registration fee so that the items can be tracked at the local level.

Food sold at events such as church bazaars and 4-H clubs are addressed in the bill, along with mobile catering businesses which cross county lines or go to multiple fairs or other seasonal events. Gouging by local jurisdictions will be less likely though the counties have some stake in the law, too, and can use their good judgment on some decisions.

Consumers are seeking healthy alternatives to the highly processed world in which we live. I am hoping the changes to cottage food laws will be a noticeable improvement in the opportunities for small producers to test new products.

I look forward to seeing more variety and some new items for sale after HB478 is signed by the governor. Let’s get out and support our local vendors beginning next month and buy from our local farmers.

 — Sen. Dee Brown, Coram