Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Food Safety Cottage Food topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House concurs with Senate on cottage‑food exemption; home bakery threshold raised to $30,000
Summary
The House concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment to House Bill 401, which establishes a new "cottage food" category, raises the home bakery licensing exemption threshold to $30,000 in annual gross receipts and directs the Department of Health to adopt training requirements and emergency rules.
The Vermont House on May 20 concurred with the Senate proposal of amendment to House Bill 401, a measure expanding licensing exemptions for small food manufacturers and establishing a distinct "cottage food" category.
Under the amended bill, a cottage food product is defined as food sold by a cottage food operator that does not require refrigeration or time‑temperature control for safety; the bill includes an illustrative list (not exhaustive) of such products. The proposed law exempts cottage food operations with gross annual receipts of $30,000 or less from licensing and licensure fees, and it raises the previous home‑bakery exemption threshold to $30,000 for a range of non‑time‑temperature‑controlled bakery products.
Training, filings and rules The measure requires the Vermont Department of Health to adopt training for food manufacturing establishment operators and employees to ensure cleanliness, sanitation and healthfulness. During permanent rulemaking, the department must promulgate emergency rules deemed to meet the emergency standard. The bill would require establishments claiming the exemption to file an annual license‑exemption attestation with the Department of Health, including attestation that required training is complete.
Committee and floor action The House Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry Committee presented the bill, noting its intent to enhance food resiliency and local production. The committee reported favorably by straw poll (7‑0‑1). The House then concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment by voice vote.
Effective date and context The bill specifies an effective date of July 1, 2025. Supporters framed the change as helping small producers, sole proprietors and cottage entrepreneurs cope with inflation and grow local food markets; witnesses included the Vermont Department of Health, a cottage food manufacturer and legislative counsel.
Ending note: The bill includes administrative obligations for training and an annual attestation process to help the Department of Health track exempt operators while easing licensing costs for small producers.
