Farmers Market Question

[sdleah]

Do people who sell baked goods at a Farmers Market have to use a commercial/state approved kitchen? I would love to sell homemade bread, cookies and pies, but I don't know how to find out what the rules are on where you bake.

[MaineFarmMom]

My kitchen license is handled by my state's USDA office. Laws vary from state to state.

[RosewoodfarmVA]

Here in VA, some friends sold bread at a local farmers market. After a few weeks, the USDA man came and told them they had to have their kitchen inspected in order to sell! They went through all the stuff.....having a section of the kitchen for Farmers MArket prep only, using only designated ingredients, contained in approved containers, staff (them and the children) had to be properly clothed, stainless steel prep area and utensils, etc. What garbage! Anyway, they went through all that because hubby was having trouble at work and job future was unsure, and they could make pretty good money with specialty breads at the FM. They are still trying to decide whether to invest the $5,000 needed to be able to satisfy USDA so they can sell their goat cheese legally (absolutely deelicious stuff)! Is this govt control or what!

[Still Learning]

What state do you live in?

I live in TN and was thinking of doing the same thing here. In Tennessee as of May 21st legislation was signed to allow people to sell baked goods at the Farmers Market without having a commerical or inspected kitchen (so a home kitchen would be fine).

If by chance you're in TN let me know and I can tell you more about it.

~Ashley

[moopups]

It all boils down to how big of a tax base can you support.

That is after you pay tax on gasoline, property, capitol gains, retirement, standard purchases, cigarettes, liquor, interstate commerce concerning telephones, and all of the listed ones on a recently posted article.

[Tater'sPa]

sdleah,They are quite different from state to state. Check with your local market organizers, they'll have the answers for the state you live in, In many cases just a few improvements/changes are needed to comply.

Originally Posted by moopups

It all boils down to how big of a tax base can you support.

That is after you pay tax on gasoline, property, capitol gains, retirement, standard purchases, cigarettes, liquor, interstate commerce concerning telephones, and all of the listed ones on a recently posted article.

And here all this time I thought it was for things like to control certain people from baking market goods in there kitchen while boarding 63 cats....of which just 56 were alive and only one litter box was found after three days of digging through the mess......

In some states even NC I feel the rules are quite steep on these issues but if I'm gonna buy any food item that was prepared in someones home...I want to be assured that it was done right in a clean/safe environment...what's wrong with that?

[aedge1]

Does anyne know what the laws are in TEXAS regarding selling homebaked goods? I haven't encountered any problems, and I think no one really cares, but I'd like to know, and can't locate the info on the web....thanks!

[goatlady]

According to the flyer brought home recently, the Yellville FM will be selling baked good, james, etc. made in State inspected, certified kitchens so apparently AR. has strict inspection and regulations on that sort of situation. I know SD does also as I had a friend there that did catering and what she had to set up was rigid.

[WIBluebird]

You might ask to use your church's kitchen. They are state inspected and our's charges just a small fee to use it.