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Governor Granholm Signs Cottage Food Bills, Promotes Michigan Agriculture and Small Businesses

July 12, 2010: Governor Jennifer M. Granholm signed the Cottage Food Bills into law on July 12, opening doors for Michigan agriculture and small entrepreneurs, allowing them to produce and sell certain foods made in their home kitchens.
These foods, called cottage food products, don’t require temperature control for safety. Foods included are jams, jellies, granola, dried fruit and herbs, cereal, dry mixes, candy and baked goods. 

“This legislation promotes the production and sale of Michigan-made food products,” Granholm said.  “It will be a boost to small and medium-sized farms, local farmers markets and entrepreneurs throughout the state.”

The bills signed by the governor were House Bill 5837, sponsored by State Representative Pam Byrnes (D-Chelsea), and House Bill 5280, sponsored by State Representative John Proos (R-St. Joseph). MIFFS and the Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA) worked in partnership with other stakeholders, including Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan Department of Agriculture, Michigan Farm Market and Agri-tourism Association, Michigan Department of Community Health, Michigan Association for Local Public Health, farmers market managers and others, to provide feedback to the bill sponsors, Representative Proos-R and Representative Byrnes-D, as well as the House Agriculture Committee.

“Especially in these difficult economic times, MIFFS believes there is a great opportunity for agriculture, especially local food, to empower our state’s economy, as well as our small farmers and consumers,” said Elaine Brown, MIFFS executive director. “We also believe that partnerships are essential to making positive change, and together with our partners and members, we support legislation that helps provide opportunities for small and medium-sized farms and businesses to succeed as we embrace the entrepreneurial spirit that has long sustained our state and economy.”

Before this bill became law, regulatory barriers required such goods to be made in licensed kitchens which, though growing in numbers and demand, are still limited in number and accessibility. This legislation removes these barriers by exempting cottage food operations from the licensing and inspection provisions of the Food Law of 2000 if they have annual gross sales of $15,000 or less. An important note, though – to ensure food safety, cottage food operations would still be subject to enforcement actions by the Michigan Department of Agriculture.

Cottage food products must be pre-packaged and labeled properly with ingredients, allergen information as required by federal law, and the name and address of the cottage food operation. They may also be sold only directly to consumers, like at a farmers market. Internet and mail order sales are prohibited, as are sales by consignment or at wholesale.

Visit http://www.michigan.gov/mda/0,1607,7-125-50772_45851-240577--,00.html to view the labeling guide, see a list of frequently asked questions, and submit your questions to the Michigan Department of Agriculture.

The May-June issue of the MIFMA E-Newsletter also has a great Q&A Session with Dru Montri, Michigan Farmers Market Association Manager, on the Cottage Food Bills at www.mifma.org/news/e-newsletter/.

Read about MIFFS' work with these Bills...

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Founded in 1998, MIFFS is a statewide membership organization (501c3) whose purpose is to promote diverse efforts that foster and sustain food and farming systems that improve economic, ecological and social well-being.  MIFFS has been effective at establishing successful partnerships among producers, markets and institutions that have created more profitable, environmentally friendly food systems in Michigan.    

The organization’s vision is based on the premise that agricultural productivity, environmental stewardship and profitability reinforce each other for the benefit of Michigan’s rural and urban communities.  To learn more, please visit www.miffs.org or call (517) 432-0712.