Kitchen fresh: Home cooks can now sell their foods legally

[phantom power]

Thanks to Michigan's new cottage food law -- signed just four months ago by Gov. Jennifer Granholm -- home bakers and cooks all over the state have another way to help make ends meet.

They can prepare certain foods, known as cottage foods, in their own homes, rather than having to use a licensed commercial kitchen, and sell the products directly to buyers at places such as farmers markets, roadside stands and festivals.

No one's getting rich. But the law is making a difference for some people who need extra income, hope to launch a full-fledged business or simply want an outlet for their baking habit. There's no way to know how many people are involved now, but the number is likely to grow as more Michiganders become aware of the new law.

...

More than 20 states now have laws permitting cottage foods, which are simply foods the law allows to be made at home. It's a short list, limited to items that don't require time and temperature controls for safety.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101115/FEATURES01/11150346/1318/Kitchen-fresh-Home-cooks-can-now-sell-their-foods-legally&template=fullarticle

[xchrom]

1. interesting. nt

[grasswire]

2. thank you for this

I had no idea. This will help many people make a little money. Very cool.

[upi402]

3. the link scares me 'freep.com'

This works well in Asia. I'm in favor of cutting red tape and letting micro businesses get a chance. Everything's set up for monster firms to gobble up all competition and establish footprint.

All the propaganda on TV about giving big money players a tax break so they can provide jobs is pissing me off! They just outsource jobs. It's small firms that create jobs and the owners are seldom pocketting over $250K a year.