Source: Jenna Smith
Extension Educator, Nutritin & Wellness
University of Illinois Extension
Serving Livingston, McLean and Woodford Counties
309-663-8306 • jesmith6@illinois.edu

Extension invites Cottage Food operators to review updates with launch of website “From Garden Gates to Dinner Plates”

Have you considered selling your homemade food products at a farmers market? In 2018, under Senate Bill 457, the Cottage Food Operation Law (Public Act 100-0035) expanded the type of foods allowed for sale by Illinois vendors. University of Illinois Extension has the information you need in the newly updated website, “From Garden Gates to Dinner Plates: Illinois Cottage Food Operation Information”.

Whether interested in starting a cottage food operation or expanding your existing operation, it is time to review the updates before this farmers market season begins.

Some of the updates include:
•    no cap on gross receipts from the sale of foods
•    selling frozen or chilled product, such as frozen cut sweet potato fries, as long as the ingredients are not on the prohibited list
•    with some provisions, selling canned tomatoes/tomato product, including canned salsa
•    selling pickles and pickled products
•    selling home-canned juice or other chilled homemade drinks in sealed containers

Visit “From Garden Gates to Dinner Plates” website at https://web.extension.illinois.edu/cottage/ for more information about cottage food operation updates. Additional questions may be directed to U of I Extension Nutrition and Wellness Educator Jenna Smith by email at jesmith6@illinois.edu or the McLean County Extension Office at (309) 663-8306.