Food Samples

Sample up the goodies

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, a cottage food operation may offer samples by doing one of the following:

  1. Prepare prepackaged samples in the kitchen of the cottage food operation. The person packaging the cottage food product samples must have a current Certified Food Protection Managers certificate.
  2. Prepare samples on the spot at the location of sale. If the person packaging the cottage food product samples at the location of sale already has a current Certified Food Protection Managers certificate, simply complete Farmers Market Food Product Sampling application and submit a $10 fee to the Illinois Department of Public Health.  If the person packaging the cottage food product samples at the location of sale does not have a Certified Food Protection Managers certificate, the person will need to submit a copy of a valid American National Standards Institute accredited or other approved food handler training certificate. This person will also need to take the Farmers Market Food Sampling training  (course number 1061218), complete the Farmers Market Food Product Sampling application and submit a $40 fee to the Illinois Department of Public Health.  Illinois Sampling Certificates are valid for 3 years.

These two publications will assist you:

How to prepare samples in your home kitchen. 

All samples to be served for tasting must be prepared at home by the cottage food operation. All samples must be in an individual container with lids or individually wrapped. Individual labeling is not required; however, the product label must be on display so customers can review the ingredient list.