Local resident (and Orrock Township Clerk) Shelley Erickson could be seen at the Minnesota Capitol Building April 9 promoting her group, the Minnesota Cottage Food Producers Association (MNCFPA), as well as the cottage food law.

Cottage foods refer to homemade products that are sold to the public, usually at farmers markets and craft fairs. Selling homemade prepared foods at these events without being registered as a cottage food producer is illegal in the state of Minnesota. Those who are registered producers must display a sign stating their products are cottage foods and not subject to state inspection.

While state representatives and their staff admired and tried some of the delicious homemade goodies the group brought to share, Erickson and her team explained cottage food law. MNCFPA President Erickson and Vice President Jennifer Carriveau have been working to forward the cause of cottage food producers for many years. July 1st of this year will celebrate ten years since Minnesota first adopted cottage food law. Before the law was adopted, selling homemade foods was completely illegal. Recent successes include allowing cottage food producers to make up to $78,000 per year from their homemade goodies and mandating a six hour training session for those wanting to be registered as an official cottage food producer.

Currently, the group is advocating to allow cottage food producers to ship items within the state to accommodate loyal customers who may live too far away to drive to a local farmers market their favorite producer frequents. They also would like to be allowed to sell to third parties, which would allow cottage food producers to sell to local coffee shops, grocery stores, and other businesses. Currently, only the person who made the goodies is able to sell them.

MNCFPA Board Member Tim Nechodomu said the recent successes in cottage food law would not be possible without Erickson and Carriveau’s efforts. 

As of this year, there are over 10,000 registered cottage food producers across the state. There is no age limit, as the youngest registered member was five years old. Those who wish to become registered simply have to take a six hour training session and pass a test on safe food handling. The training is available online and can be started or stopped as needed. More information can be found at MNCFPA.org.