Dear Friend,

There is a hearing next week over proposed legislation about cottage (or homemade) foods. Current cottage food law allows non-potentially hazardous foods to be sold direct to the consumer or wholesale, and carries registration and other substantive requirements.

Massachusetts House Bill 140 would expand cottage food allowances to permit non-time and temperature-controlled fermented foods, as long as a USDA recipe is used or a food safety course is completed.

Permits will be required when certain products are sold (as determined by the department of health). Otherwise, a cottage food operator will no longer need a license or permit.

In addition, the bill seeks to add detailed labelling requirements and would allow in-person sales to consumers, including at farmers markets, public events, and roadside stands, or by telephone, internet, or mail delivery.

A voluntary cottage food operator registry would also be set up.

About the hearing

A hearing on this bill will take place Wednesday July 9th at 1:00 pm ET before the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries in Boston.

The hearing will be livestreamed and the public is invited to participate in-person or online. You must register no later than 5:00 pm on July 7 to testify virtually. For in-person testimony, you can register at the hearing.

If you cannot participate at the hearing, you can also submit comments in advance.

See below for more info on how to take action!