The state House agriculture committee has advanced two bills that would create new opportunities for Michigan’s cottage food producers to expand operations.
House bills 5671 and 5704 would allow cottage food producers, people who sell home-made foods like bread, roasted coffee and jam, the opportunity to sell their products online and through a third-party delivery service, but only within state lines.
The bills also give producers the option to register their business with the state with no additional fee.
“It enables internet, mail order and third-party delivery sales only in-state," said Julie Alexander, a Republican from Jackson and chair of the House agriculture committee. "And gives an optional registration system.”
Alexander also says the bills would increase the annual gross revenue cap a cottage food operation can collect.
“Sub-section 5 moves the annual revenue cap from what we now have 25 thousand to 40 thousand [dollars],” said Alexander.
Cottage food products still need to be pre-packaged and labeled before being sold to consumers and sales by consignment or at wholesale are still prohibited.
The bills now move to the full House. It's unclear when the measures would reach both legislative chambers or if they would take effect in time for the start of this year’s farmer’s market season.
