Yesterday, the Texas House of Representatives voted to pass HB 970, the “cottage foods” bill sponsored by Representative Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin).
HB 970 expands on last session's cottage foods law (SB 81), allowing cottage food producers to make other non-potentially hazardous foods in addition to baked goods, including jams and jellies, dried herbs, dried fruits and vegetables, granolas, dry mixes, pickles, and coffee/tea mixes. It also expands on the previous bill that allowed sales from home, by allowing sales at locations such as farmers markets and community events, ultimately making a positive impact on the local economy.
“Being able to market their low-risk products at farmers markets and other community events would allow home producers to build a meaningful business,” said Kelley Masters, owner of Home Sweet Home Bakery and organizer of the grassroots movement, Texas Baker’s Bill. “Some producers with high quality, unique products will use this opportunity as a springboard to a larger commercial operation, with a proven, successful product.”
A second local food bill, HB 1392, the DSHS Better Communications Act, was also voted to pass by the House yesterday.
“The DSHS Better Communications bill, by Representative Susan King (R-Abilene), addresses one of the major problems that small farmers and local food producers face: knowing what they have to do to comply with the laws,” explained Judith McGeary, Executive Director of the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance.
“The regulations are written with large industrial facilities in mind, so it can be very unclear what a small producer has to do. Right now, our members are left to guess how the law applies to their factual situation, with the potential of fines if they guess wrong,” added McGeary.
The third local foods bill, HB 1382 – scheduled for a House vote on Tuesday, May 7 – establishes clear, reasonable standards for sampling at farmers’ markets and farm stands, replacing the current overly burdensome and confusing regulations. The bill, by Representative David Simpson (R-Longview), also clarifies the requirements for cooking demonstrations and exempts educational demonstrations from permit fees. Passage of the bill would facilitate increased sales, by encouraging people to try unusual fruits and vegetables.
Both the cottage foods and farmers’ market bill have been supported by the Farm-to-Table Caucus, founded in the spring of 2012 by Chairman Eddie Rodriguez and Vice-Chair Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham), to educate members of the Texas House of Representatives on issues relating to the growing, harvesting and consumption of Texas foods. The bi-partisan Caucus is the first of its kind in the nation.
For more information visit www.farmandranchfreedom.org/texas-local-food-bills-2013.
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Texas Animal ID
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