thunderstruck88
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Small business is big business in northern Michigan. A viewer heard about a new law that aims to open up the marketplace for some very small businesses: The Michigan Cottage Food Law.
She wanted to know what it might mean for those in our area. What we found out for her is the subject of tonight's Fact Finder report.
Susan Odom likes to keep things simple.
She says, "It's just sugar and fruit and that's it."
As a food historian she uses 19th century recipes to make her savory sensations, right inside her historic Leelanau County farm house.
She says, "I always make way more than I can eat and people always say, "Oh, you should sell these."
But until recently it was illegal for her to do that. She would have paid to use a licensed commercial kitchen. The goal of the regulation was to ensure food safety, but the costs kept a lot of small businesses from even getting started.
Odom says, "All of the rules are oppressive for someone small. I'm never going to be one of the big guys. I don't want to be one of the big guys."
Now the Michigan Cottage Food Law allows Odom, and thousands of people like her to sell certain food they make in their own homes.
Senior Policy Specialist with the Michigan Land Use Institute Patty Cantrell says, "There's a lot of data that shows Michigan can create a lot of jobs if it lets more of these food and farm entrepreneurs onto the market by reducing barriers like this."
How many jobs? Cantrell says 23,000. And that's just the beginning.
Cantrell says, "Somebody can get started in their home kitchen and at the farmers market and if it really gets going they can take it to one of our local businesses and that creates business for that business."
But Odom thinks it will also do something more.
She says, "Yes, it helps the small person get I and get a start. I think for the consumer its also another way to know the person whose food you're eating and that's a relationship that's being re-established."
Here are the basics of the new Michigan Cottage Food Law:
It's limited to non-potentially hazardous foods. That includes jams and jellies, granola, baked goods and candy.
You can sell the products at farmers markets, fairs, and roadside stands, but not stores.
You are limited to $15,000 in annual sales.
Here's something very important, you must tell customers that the products were made in a home kitchen not inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture.
The new Michigan Cottage Food Law is just one part of a larger plan to open more doors to farmers and entrepreneurs and to boost business and health in Michigan. It's called the Michigan Good Food Charter. You can find it here. http://www.michiganfood.org/
If you would like to try some of Susan Odom's historical jams and jelly's, you can look for her at the Suttons Bay farmer's market.
What do you think about the new law? Do you think it will boost the economy? Are you concerned about food safety? Leave your comments below.
She wanted to know what it might mean for those in our area. What we found out for her is the subject of tonight's Fact Finder report.
Susan Odom likes to keep things simple.
She says, "It's just sugar and fruit and that's it."
As a food historian she uses 19th century recipes to make her savory sensations, right inside her historic Leelanau County farm house.
She says, "I always make way more than I can eat and people always say, "Oh, you should sell these."
But until recently it was illegal for her to do that. She would have paid to use a licensed commercial kitchen. The goal of the regulation was to ensure food safety, but the costs kept a lot of small businesses from even getting started.
Odom says, "All of the rules are oppressive for someone small. I'm never going to be one of the big guys. I don't want to be one of the big guys."
Now the Michigan Cottage Food Law allows Odom, and thousands of people like her to sell certain food they make in their own homes.
Senior Policy Specialist with the Michigan Land Use Institute Patty Cantrell says, "There's a lot of data that shows Michigan can create a lot of jobs if it lets more of these food and farm entrepreneurs onto the market by reducing barriers like this."
How many jobs? Cantrell says 23,000. And that's just the beginning.
Cantrell says, "Somebody can get started in their home kitchen and at the farmers market and if it really gets going they can take it to one of our local businesses and that creates business for that business."
But Odom thinks it will also do something more.
She says, "Yes, it helps the small person get I and get a start. I think for the consumer its also another way to know the person whose food you're eating and that's a relationship that's being re-established."
Here are the basics of the new Michigan Cottage Food Law:
It's limited to non-potentially hazardous foods. That includes jams and jellies, granola, baked goods and candy.
You can sell the products at farmers markets, fairs, and roadside stands, but not stores.
You are limited to $15,000 in annual sales.
Here's something very important, you must tell customers that the products were made in a home kitchen not inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture.
The new Michigan Cottage Food Law is just one part of a larger plan to open more doors to farmers and entrepreneurs and to boost business and health in Michigan. It's called the Michigan Good Food Charter. You can find it here. http://www.michiganfood.org/
If you would like to try some of Susan Odom's historical jams and jelly's, you can look for her at the Suttons Bay farmer's market.
What do you think about the new law? Do you think it will boost the economy? Are you concerned about food safety? Leave your comments below.
