Rep. Haines Supports Cottage Foods Legislation

HARTFORD – State Representative Irene Haines (R-34) co-sponsored and voted in favor of SB 187 “An Act Concerning Cottage Food Operations.” The legislation would increase the revenue cap for cottage food producers from $25,000 to $50,000, effective October 1^st, 2022.

As defined by the Department of Consumer Protection, “Cottage Food is prepared food perceived to be low-risk for food-related injury or illness.  As a low-risk product, Cottage Food can be prepared in a home environment without some of the controls used for a traditional ready-to-eat food such as those foods sold in a restaurant or grocery store.”

“Our district is home to many home bakers and producers of cottage goods. This bill would raise the revenue cap and allow residents to sell more products,” said Rep. Haines. “More and more people are interested in buying local foods, raising this cap would help producers meet growing consumer demand.”

Connecticut’s cottage food regulations and licensing program were first established in 2018 to encourage small food producing businesses to test the waters with new product and enable these small proprietors to sell their wares to farmer’s markets and directly to consumers without having to invest in costly overhead.

For more information about the state’s cottage food regulations visit the Department of Consumer Protection website at www.portal.ct.gov/cottagefood.