Cottage Food Laws and Homemade Food

Since the economic downturn of 2009, many people are looking for creative ways to earn money from home doing what they love. Having lived in Ohio for going on six years, I was stunned to find out that I live in a cottage food law state. There are approximately 24 states with cottage food laws and more being added. A large part of the appeal is the low start up cost to sell homemade food. Most home cooks can get started for $500. or less. Bottom line is food sells – even in a down economy.

Cottage law states allow residents to make and sell homemade foods without a license. Most of the cottage law states restrict you to only selling your food in your own state. Although I have been canning my own food for a couple years, this year was the first year I tried making my own jams and jellies. I had purchased peaches from a local orchard but they were too ripe to can. A friend suggested I make peach preserves. The outcome was delicious! I was hooked. I started scouring the internet for unusual recipes and made some hot pepper jellies, apple pie jam and eventually even made some wine jelly. To my delight my friends and family said it was the best jams and jellies they had ever tasted.

I read about a music and arts festival coming to my town, so I decided to rent a booth and try to sell my jams and jellies. I only had a week to get ready but I work well under pressure.

First I went to the Ohio Cottage Law page website page to review the rules for selling homemade food. Cottage laws are very specific on what you can and cannot offer for sale made from an unlicensed home kitchen. In Ohio we are allowed to make non-hazardous (meaning it can’t accidentally kill someone) foods such as candy, popcorn, jams & jellies, granola bars and baked goods that do not have to be refrigerated. They are also very specific on what information you must print on your label. I had to be sure each label had the statement of responsibility (my name and address) a list of ingredients in descending order and the statement “This Product was Made in a Home Kitchen” clearly printed on each label.

My friend and I made jams & jellies for 6 days straight in order to have a good variety for the fair. Much to our delight, the jams and jellies were a huge hit at the fair! We offered free samples using crackers and cream cheese with the jam on top. Once people tasted the jams they were hooked. I am now looking forward to my new fair with some new flavors.


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