For the last few years my daughter has been baking treats during the holidays, but could only bless friends and family with them. They kindly gave her some financial blessings for her treats, but she has not been able to market her goodies commercially, because we don’t have a commercial kitchen.
Many stay at home moms haven’t been able to make money on their home made goodies, at least not in California. The cost of renting a commercial kitchen is so costly that most women can’t make enough profit to pay for the use of such a kitchen. I understand the premise of the laws governing the preparation of food due to the many folks who get sick or die from under cooked food. I’m just not sure the government needs to be involved in making laws that hinder people from being able to start up their own businesses. Too many unreasonable restrictions will only hurt the economy and a person’s Constitutional right to pursue happiness.
free photos for blogging at Pix-O-Sphere
The limits that have been placed on women (and some men) from selling home baked cookies and breads has been ridiculous. It’s been a frustration for my daughters who had a difficult time getting a job as teenagers. Not many businesses want to hire young folks under the age of 18. You’d think chewy chocolate chip cookies, blissful cranberry bars, and muffins could be sold to neighbors so a young teen can earn some cash. She couldn’t pursue her dreams of making money on her delicious treats, but she continued to bake for family and friends out of the goodness of her heart and for the enjoyment of baking. She just couldn’t earn any dough.
Well that all changed January 1, 2013, but I just found out today!
No, we didn’t get a commercial kitchen.
The State of California passed a new bill, AB1616, allows home bakers to earn up to $35,000 in 2013. I’m still unsure why they want to continue to limit the amount of money they make from home, but at least it’s a step in a better direction.
“Foods considered unlikely to be contaminated, such as breads, candies, condiments, cereals and jellies that don’t contain cream, custard or meat.”
You also need to go through the steps of having your kitchen inspected, have a city business license, and abide by state laws, and have a food handler’s certificate.
So if you’re in California and you’ve always wanted to legally earn cash on the treats you know neighbors love, now you can!
Contact your county’s health inspector’s office to find out what their guidelines are.
Online training for food handlers
Recipes:
I was so excited when you told me that, I will definitely have to consider it now!
Nice! That has been the case in WA for a long time but I didn’t realize they didn’t allow it in CA. Well thank goodness they finally wised up! No one gets sick from baked goods unless they eat too much. LOL And just as a side note, I have TWO hand crocheted hot pads exactly like that red and white one in your picture, made by my Gramma in the 1950′s.
They hang on the wall of my dining room next to her spoon rack.