YPSILANTI – At an urban farm known as the Growing Hope Center, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed into law a plan sponsored by State Representative Pam Byrnes (D-Lyndon Township) to increase opportunities for Michigan residents and farmers to sell homemade food at farmers markets, roadside stands, county fairs and other events.
"We are blessed with an abundance of talented farmers and residents in Washtenaw County who can provide our local markets with fresh food and other high-quality products," Byrnes said. "This is a win-win situation – residents looking to launch a startup business will have an easier time setting up shop, and consumers looking for delicious homemade items for their families will have more options."
Byrnes' legislation allows certain foods that are made in home kitchens, rather than in commercial settings, to be sold as long as they are properly labeled. The plan covers foods such as pies, candy, jams and jellies, dry mixes, popcorn, coffee, nuts and nut mixes, flavored vinegar mixes, and other items.
Current law only permits food items made in kitchens that are inspected and approved by the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) to be sold to the public. Residents who want to open a startup food business must set up a separate kitchen and obtain state approval, which can be very costly.
The new law will exempt a new category known as a "cottage food operation" from the licensing process in order to help increase entrepreneurship in Michigan and boost local economies. Cottage food items must carry a label stating the name and address of the cottage food operation; the product's ingredients; and a statement that it was made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the MDA, among other requirements.
Ypsilanti's Growing Hope Center is a 1.4 acre demonstration urban farm designed to show how gardens and urban agriculture can lead to a viable income for families while providing fresh food and needed products to local marketplaces.
"The signing of cottage food legislation and the Growing Hope Center build on the resourcefulness of our residents
and their ability to thrive in extraordinarily difficult times," Byrnes said. "This is just a glimpse of how the cottage
food industry can help boost our local economies and help residents across Michigan earn a living."