Nearly two years have passed since Michigan’s Cottage Food Law was approved.  This law allows the preparation of certain foods in home kitchens for direct sale to the public.
Michigan’s Cottage Food Law, which took effect July 2010, will allow those with an entrepreneurial spirit the opportunity to sell certain homemade food products to the public.
If you are one of those individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit and are considering selling some of your homemade food products you will be interested in the workshops that Michigan State University Extension and the MSU Product Center – Food, Ag, Bio (http://productcenter.msu.edu) are offering in Michigan.
This basic cottage foods session will be offered from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16 at Berrien County Michigan State University Extension, 1737 Hillandale Rd., Benton Harbor.
Workshop participants will receive a certificate to display that states that you have taken food safety training related to Michigan Cottage Foods. This certificate is not required to sell cottage foods. The certificate tells buyers of your food products that you have taken extra measures to ensure them safe food.
These MSU Extension workshops combine the business and food safety aspects of preparing and selling cottage foods safely and successfully. At these workshops students will find out what foods can be legally produced as well as how to label and sell them. Students will learn food safety practices to ensure that you are producing a wholesome product that people will want to buy. Students will also pick up techniques to develop a successful small business.
There is a $20 fee to attend a workshop that will help you have a successful small food business. Register for a workshop on “Cottage Foods: How to Start a Successful Business” at http://web2.msue.msu.edu/cottagefoods.
For more information, contact Berrien County MSU Extension at (269) 944-4126.