McLean County Times

In a recent Facebook post, state Rep. Jason Bunting (R-Dwight) highlighted changes in the laws for cottage food businesses in Illinois.

"New Illinois law brings big changes for Cottage Food businesses," Bunting said in the post.

Senate Bill 2007, the Home-to-Market Act, became law in August 2021.

The law clarifies what cottage food operations had to comply with, adds requirements for cottage food operations to sell low-acid canned foods and fermented or acidified foods, and allows food and drink from cottage food operations to be sold directly to consumers for consumption.

Kelly Lay, a representative of the Illinois Stewardship Alliance, recently talked to Illinois Newsroom about the Home-to-Market Act.

“'It’s huge,'” the Newsroom report said, quoting Lay. “Instead of just farmers markets, now 'anywhere that a cottage food business owner can get in front of you, they can sell to you.' The change means that licensed producers can now sell directly to consumers out of their own homes, at fairs and festivals, and in roadside stands. And the new law allows for in-state shipping and deliveries. ... 'It’s difficult for rural people, and people from disadvantaged communities, to take out those giant loans and to leverage everything into a dream like that. Cottage food lets you build your business from (the) ground up,' Lay said, pointing out that it’s possible to start a business using just the contents of your kitchen cabinets."

The Institute for Justice considers cottage food law in Illinois. They note that Illinois cottage food producers must register each year with local health departments and pay an annual fee. But home inspections are not required, although they could happen if there is an outbreak of foodborne illness or consumer complaint. Food handler training is required, although recipe approval or lab testing is only required for baked goods made with cheese or acidified and fermented foods.