Hamlin residents urge update to farm-stand rules so registered home processors can sell baked and processed goods

Residents and home producers urged the Hamlin Town Board to update the town’s farm-stand ordinance to reflect New York State’s home-processor registration and allow registered home processors to sell baked and other processed goods at roadside stands.

“Since 2012 the code has only allowed the sale of produce,” said Melissa Calvin Nelson, a Hamlin resident and a New York State-registered home processor, who asked the board to begin a code amendment process. Nelson told the board the state’s cottage-food/home-processor rules require registration, labeling and a defined ingredient list and said aligning the town code with state rules would support local agriculture and small businesses.

Board members and residents asked how state registration works and whether being a registered home processor would change local zoning requirements. One resident described the state registration timeline as lengthy and said applicants can face denials that delay their ability to sell while the town’s law remains unchanged. Board members noted that New York State and the county health department retain enforcement authority for food-safety matters and said following state guidelines would reduce the town’s liability.

The board agreed to draft ordinance language and pursue the formal public-hearing process; members said they expected to have proposed language prepared for review and a public hearing scheduled in the coming weeks as part of its normal amendment steps. The chair said the board will follow the state’s guidance and consult county health officials as needed.

Next steps: the board directed staff to prepare draft amendments to the farm-stand ordinance and bring them back for public review and a public hearing before adoption.