Purpose: Reform Georgia Cottage Food Law to include the provision to sell to third party vendors.

What is a cottage food? Cottage food sales are allowed under Georgia regulations, Chapter 40-7-19. Licensed cottage food operators can only make non-potentially hazardous foods (see examples of approved products below). Operators can use their domestic home kitchen to produce products to sell directly to consumers at non-profit events, for-profit events, and through on-line internet sales.

Loaf Breads, Rolls, and Biscuits
Cakes
Pastries and Cookies
Candies and Confections
Fruit Pies
Jams, Jellies, and Preserves
Dried Fruits
Dry Herbs, Seasonings and Mixtures
Cereals, Trail Mixes, and Granola
Coated or Uncoated Nuts
Vinegar and Flavored Vinegar
Popcorn, Popcorn Balls, and Cotton Candy

While I love my Cottage License (it turned my baking hobby into a legitimate business), there is still some room for improvement.  Currently, our products cannot be sold to any third party for resale-no restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores, non-profits or even at events we will not be personally in attendance for.  Allowing Cottage License Holders to sell their products into restaurants, coffee shops and retail stores increases the availability of locally produced goods, creates jobs and grows the local economy. I know for me, this would be the pathway to taking my business from my part time second job to my main steam of income. The quality of our products is unmatched and well recognized in our communities-just look at any local farmer's market or festival as people line up at our booths to purchase local, homemade goods. Let's give the people what they want and allow local businesses who wish to support us the ability to buy and distribute our food.

Recently, Tennessee passed a bill into law that does just that (read below).

Tennesee Senate Bill 693

Highlights from Tennessee SB693:

(1) There is great interest in small-scale, home-based food businesses in this
state; however, current law restricts entrepreneurs' ability to establish and grow such
businesses;
(2) Expanding the freedom of entrepreneurs to operate home-based food
businesses will provide numerous benefits, including the opportunity for self-employment
and to earn an honest living through work that affords flexibility, creativity, and financial
rewards;
(3) Consumers desire foods produced by such entrepreneurs;
(4) Expanding the freedom of consumers to procure food from home-based food
businesses will provide many benefits, including consumers in urban and rural areas in
this state gaining access to a greater variety of food options, especially food produced
on a small, local scale;
(5) There is little evidence that home-based food businesses pose a threat to the
public in states where they are lightly regulated; and
(6) Allowing the production, sale, and consumption of a greater variety of
homemade foods respects individuals' personal liberty, including their economic liberty.
Individuals should be free to produce, procure, and consume the homemade foods of
their choice.

I've already emailed my State Congressmen and shared this petition in the email.  Your support can really help make a difference and change how foods are made and sold in the state of Georgia.

Please sign this petition and send an email to your Georgia House Representative and Senator.  If you aren't sure who that is, you can search for your district and contact information here: https://www.legis.ga.gov/

Read more about current Georgia Cottage Licensing Requirements and Restrictions here https://www.agr.georgia.gov/cottage-foods.aspx