If you’ve ever considered running a small side business selling home-made goods such as cakes, cookies, or candy there is good news in Michigan: It’s now legal to do just that.
The Michigan Cottage Food Law, signed by Governer Granholm, lays down guidelines that make it legal for entrepreneurs in single-family dwellings (including apartments!) to make some extra money selling their goodies. There are some stipulations, of course. You can download the full PDF from the State of Michigan website, but I’ll summarize the big points here:
- Baked goods are okay (cookies, cakes, cupcakes, candy) with the exception of pies that require refrigeration such as pumpkin, meringue, or custard.
- Nuts and coated nuts, jams and jellies, popcorn, herbs, and other goods that don’t require refrigeration are okay
- Anything with meat or fish is not okay (including dried meat and jerky.)
- Foods must be labelled as Cottage Foods, and ingredient labels must be created, including allergen information and net weight.
- You can not sell over $15,000 worth of goods annually.
- You can only sell your goods directly to consumers, or at a farmer’s market or roadside stand. You cannot sell to grocery stores or restaurants. You cannot sell your food online.
Again, if you’re considering selling Cottage Foods, you definitely want to familiarize yourself with the full rules and guidelines.
Get cookin’!
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