Senate Bill 541 aims to expand Texas cottage food industry opportunities

The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services convened on March 11, 2025, to discuss Senate Bill 541, which aims to enhance the cottage food industry in Texas. The meeting featured testimonies from various stakeholders advocating for the bill, highlighting the need for regulatory changes to support small food businesses.

The first speaker, a small business owner, emphasized the challenges faced by cottage food operators, particularly regarding the sale of wholesale and refrigerated items. She noted that many clients request products like cheesecakes and pies, which she is currently unable to sell due to existing regulations. She argued that allowing the sale of these items could provide a more stable income stream for small businesses struggling to survive.

Kelly Masters, president of Homemade Texas, followed with her support for SB 541, citing her long history of advocating for home bakers. She pointed out that since Texas enacted its cottage food law in 2011, all 50 states have adopted similar legislation. Masters urged the committee to reconsider a labeling requirement that was mistakenly applied to direct sales, suggesting it should only apply to wholesale transactions.

Samuel Hooper, representing the Institute for Justice, expressed strong support for the bill, highlighting its potential to remove unnecessary government barriers and increase the income cap for cottage food producers from $50,000 to $100,000. He noted that this change would allow small businesses to grow without the immediate burden of costly commercial kitchen requirements.

Nina Miller from Good Food Fighter shared her personal experience of purchasing local food, emphasizing the quality and health benefits of fresh, locally sourced products. She argued that reducing regulatory barriers would enable more farmers and small vendors to scale their operations, ultimately improving access to healthy food for Texans.

The committee members engaged with the panel, thanking them for their insights and contributions. The discussions underscored a collective desire to support local food producers and enhance consumer choice while maintaining safety standards.

In conclusion, the meeting highlighted the importance of SB 541 in fostering a more robust cottage food industry in Texas. The committee's favorable consideration of the bill could lead to significant changes that benefit small businesses and improve food access for consumers across the state.