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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 20, 2022 10:03 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Natalie Mihalek |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Freedom for Homemade Food Sellers |
| Please join me in sponsoring legislation to eliminate unnecessary restrictions on homemade food sellers and, in turn, increase Pennsylvanians’ access to delicious, local goods. Selling homemade foods like cakes, cookies, and jam is a great way for entrepreneurs with big dreams, but little capital, to start a business. These entrepreneurs safely work out of their own homes without having to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a commercial kitchen space. Customers are then able to buy fresh and affordable foods from members of their own community. While homemade food sales are legal in all 50 states, including Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania’s homemade food laws are outdated and impose stricter requirements than many other states. Pennsylvania currently allows homemade-food producers to sell their products as a Limited Food Establishment; however, the current licensing requirements and vague regulations are quite onerous and a barrier to entry for many homemade food producers, particularly stay-at-home parents, the disabled, and military spouses. Removing the licensing requirement for Limited Food Establishments and memorializing the health and safety requirements directly in statute—as opposed to relying on vague, often-unwritten policies—will open doors for these small businesses and provide local food options for Pennsylvania residents. The overwhelming majority of states allow homemade foods to be sold without a license. And those states that have removed these types of barriers have experienced exponential growth in the number of small businesses, created new jobs, boosted their economies, and increased access to food in rural communities without sacrificing safety. I hope you will join me in bringing these same benefits to the Commonwealth. |