Microenterprise Home Kitchens and Cottage Food Reform

Support Ohio House Bill 134 – Microenterprise Home Kitchens and Cottage Food Reform

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OAMF LEGISLATION ENDORSEMENT

HB- 134 Microenterprise Home Kitchens and Cottage Food Reform-

Joint Sponsors: Representatives Jennifer Gross & Latyna Humphrey

Right now, in Ohio, it’s against the law to sell anything that is not baked goods unless it’s at a farmers market or craft type fair. Currently, in order to do large amounts or refrigerated or canned goods for sale, you are required to have a commercial kitchen. The bill allows health inspection annually, but that inspection is the same as that of a restaurant and requires the health department to get an administrative warrant to do the inspection.

Currently today a person can not sell pans of grandma’s famous lasagna out of their kitchen. They can only sell grandma’s cookies because the uncooked pans of lasagna rquire refrigeration, and Ohio requires the person making it to have a commercial kitchen. It increases opportunities to sell more varieties and more amts of food out of your home kitchen.

The only time an inspection can be done more than once annually is if there’s a report of food borne illness.

This reform is vital for small-scale food entrepreneurs—many who seek to sell food but face the financial obstacle of building or renting a commercial kitchen, which costs thousands of dollars.

“This legislation aligns with the growing demand for locally sourced food that connects people to their neighbors and small farms and bolsters local economies. By enabling consumers to buy a greater variety of fresh, homemade products, we are not just opening economic doors but also contributing to a healthier Ohio.” -Rep. Gross

What can you do to help?

Contact your State Senator and ask them to quickly pass this legislation to make home made foods easier to access through home kitchen businesses.”

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