MDA receives upwards of several hundred questions a week via our online web address. We've chosen to highlight some of those and their answers here on our website. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to send them to us at mda-info@michigan.gov. And now here's the question of the week for January 18, 2007:

17. I've recently been informed that a wonderful pastry chef will no longer be allowed to sell her pastries at our farm market because Michigan doesn't have a cottage food production law as they do in some other states. This is a great disappointment, and I must note that a great many people do sell their home prepared foods at farm markets across the state, with none the worse for it. Please consider changing this rule, or allowing exceptions to it. Thank you.

1. Thank you for taking the time to voice your concerns regarding home preparation of foods to be sold to the public. There are really quite a few licensed establishments in Michigan involved in home preparation of foods...most are "bakeries". These home based licenses are for kitchens that are in addition to the family kitchen. Some people have converted a garage into a separate kitchen, some have remodeled in their basement and made a separate area in the basement. And some people who haven't wanted to go to that expense have made arrangements with a church or club to rent the kitchen at the church or club for the preparation of the product(s). Usually these arrangements work out quite well.
   
   Some states have passed legislation called "cottage" food laws.  These laws allow certain low-risk products to be made in a home and sold commercially.  Sometimes labeling is required on these products notifying consumers the food is not from an inspected commercial establishment.  Michigan does not have a "cottage" food component in the law.  Therefore, legislation would need to be enacted to allow it here.
   
   In the meantime, I would suggest that your friend--if unable to add a separate baking facility in her home--contact a local church or club organization (such as the Elks, VFW, etc.) and make arrangements to use that kitchen, so that her bakery items can be legally offered for sale to the public.
   
   If you need further information regarding licensure of church or club kitchen facilities or how to convert a home area into a kitchen that can be licensed, please feel free to contact the MDA Regional Office in your area.

Question answered by MDA's Suzanne Kidder. For more information on food establishment licensing, please see MDA's pages on the subject:

• What do I need to start a food business in my home?
• Food Establishment Licensing Guide