Informative and pleasant to watch. Hope these presenters' sessions are shared on similar topics e.g. requirements for other food establishments (such as commercial or requirements for the fermented and sprouted foods). Thank y'all for answering questions and sharing this session!
Hi, Thank you for the video and all the information. I learned a lot. I was wondering what kind of jams or how many kinds of jam are allowed to sell under cottage food law in Florida? Thank you.
Hey, zma1625! Here's what our Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, Dr. Maria Portelos-Rometo, shared: Under the current state cottage foods guidance, “Jams, jellies and preserves made from high acid fruits only.” High-acid fruits would include strawberries, peaches, apples, blueberries, blackberries, grapes, oranges, plums, etc. It is recommended that you follow a recipe using the "Complete Guide to Home Canning" (available for free download online). Also, in March and in April, I am offering two different 3- hour, in-person workshops on water bath canning. These workshops are a great way to learn the newest techniques in home canning. Both classes are taught at the UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County office in Sarasota, with registration through Eventbrite (ufsarasotaext.eventbrite.com). Please reach out (sarasota@ifas.ufl.edu) with any questions.
Thank you for reaching out to UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County. For your quesiton, the quick answer is “yes,” pets are allowable in the home. But, for food safety, all household pets need to be removed from the kitchen b efore food preparation can begin and not allowed to re-enter the kitchen until all food preparation is complete, which also includes packaging food samples if necessary. Please reach out with any questions or concerns you might have going forward. Thanks!
Nice video. It answered a lot of my questions, though I still have some. Could I use a pepper powder in a baked item, or would that still disqualify it from being a cottage food? Also, is there a resource to learn what permit/ requirements are needed to sell salsa and such?
Good morning, @smashstuff86. Sorry about the delay in replying; we've had staff away and this one slipped through the cracks. To get it back on track, we've shared your questions with key team members best positioned to provide you with answers. We'll post their information back here when ready. Thanks!
@@smashstuff86 Our sustainable agriculture agent provided the following information: "(Individuals) can bake dried pepper into the bread and it is ok for cottage food. Salsa is not covered under cottage food, and individuals would need to contact FDACS about appropriate permitting: www.fdacs.gov/Divisions-Offices/Food-Safety or 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352)." Hope that helps! UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County
Hi, Tamyra. According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services-the state agency with regulatory oversight in this matter-if the fruit or vegetable is incorporated into the batter and properly baked, labeled and packaged, it is allowable. You cannot decorate or garnish the bread with fresh fruit or vegetables, though. Contact FDACS (www.fdacs.gov) for more information.
Good morning, Talkin Sweet. Here's the reply from our familly and consumer sciences agent: You can find the link to the current Cottage Food Operations guidance at www.fdacs.gov/content/download/70108/file/CottageFoodOperations.pdf. That document notes selling “ice and/or ice products” is prohibited. Given that you inquired about selling frozen alcohol treats, I am guessing there is water in this mixture, besides the uncooked alcohol. So, without further ingredient information, I can only proceed with what is written in the Cottage Food guidance. Let me know if you need more information. Best, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County
Good morning, Jason. Per our family and consumer sciences agent, Dr. Maria Portelos-Rometo: "A garlic-in-oil mixture is potentially hazardous because, if not handled properly, it can support the growth of Clostridium botulinum, which can be life threatening. Garlic-in-oil products need to be refrigerated even if salt and acid(s) have been added. Garlic-in-oil mixtures cannot be exposed to outdoor temperatures for more than one hour, or two hours if the product is in an air-controlled climate. Refrigerate garlic-in-oil mixtures promptly. Leftover garlic-in-oil should be discarded if the product has been exposed for more than two hours." Dr. Rometo also suggested participating in our Oct. 04 "Starting a Home-based Food Business: Dos and Don'ts" (register at www.eventbrite.com/e/617129359527), or contacting her directly for information at mrometo@scgov.net. Hope that helps!
@@ufsarasotaext thank you so much! Truly appreciate the prompt response and information. I’ll look to attend the class as well to learn more. Thanks again!
From our FCS agent: "There is no mention of an age requirement in the guidance provided by the Florida Department of Agriculture (www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Food/Food-Establishments/Cottage-Foods). With this said, certain licensing does require the applicant to be 18 years and older. Also, there are fees associated with participation at farmer’s markets as well as the cost of insurance. UF/IFAS also has a wonderful publication on cottage foods, at edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FY1469. Hope that helps!"
From the prohibited list, I’m going to be making pastries with fruit and cream. Would I not be allowed to sell at flea markets or give out any samples?
Thanks for watching, and for the question. Our Family and Consumer Sciences Program agent offered the following: Per the 2021 Cottage Foods guidance from FDAC: Can I make homemade icings/frostings from dairy based cream cheeses and/or buttercream (with real butter)? No. Cream cheese and butter icings are not allowed to be produced under cottage food. These items require refrigeration due to the high water content (made from cow’s milk) and are considered a TCS food (see below). Margarine (vegetable oils), shortening (solidified fat), vegan butter/margarine (made with vegetable oils) would be considered permissible. So, you would not be allowed to sell your pastries at a flea market and provide samples. Cottage Food Product may not be Time/Temperature Controlled for Safety (TCS) Food (formerly “potentially hazardous” food). This means the final product may not be a food product that requires time/temperature control for safety to limit pathogenic microorganism growth or toxin formation; an animal food that is raw or heat-treated; a plant food that is heat-treated or consists of raw seed sprouts, cut melons, cut leafy greens, cut tomatoes or mixtures of cut tomatoes that are not modified in a way so that they are unable to support pathogenic microorganism growth or toxin formation; or garlic-in-oil mixtures that are not modified in a way so that they are unable to support pathogenic microorganism growth or toxin formation. Hope that helps! - UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County
Good morning, Laurie. Our family and consumer sciences agent, Dr. Maria Portelos-Rometo replied: "I was able to contact the office for Food Safety at the Florida Department of Agriculture in regards to allowable food items to be sold under Cottage Foods. Their response was the following: 'For freeze dried foods, ONLY fruits can be sold under Cottage Foods. 'No low acid food items such as meats and vegetables can be sold under Cottage Foods. So, freeze dried meats and vegetables ARE NOT an allowable item under Cottage Foods regulations.' " Please feel free to contact us directly at sarasotas@ifas.ufl.edu if you have any further questions.
Thank you for your inquiry. We have shared your question with the appropriate team member in our office, and will share the reply soon. Best, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County
Hi, Daniel. Sorry for the delay in getting you a response. Here's the reply from our team members: The jars can be reused but must be sanitized between uses. High-temperature sanitization is the best ‘kill step’ to avoid contamination. Take note, as well, of what's being stored in the jars and how the jars are being used (e.g., pressure sealed or not). Hope that helps!
im not trying to be a dunce or anything like that, are they saying you cant use butter or milk and eggs as ingredients in your baked goods or you cant sell them as a single item?
@peepawttv7004 Our deepest apologies for not seeing your question/comment sooner. We have forwarded this to our staff, and will share their response here soon. Best, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County
Good morning, Jose. Checking with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, staff there recommended consulting the document at www.fdacs.gov/content/download/70108/file/Cottage-Food-Operations.pdf. They added "...most entities a permit would be required in order to sell donuts. Please see the below link for more information on permit requirements: www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Food/Food-Establishments/Retail-Food-Establishment-Permit)." Hope that helps!
I wonder why buttercream isn't allowable. Many say you can leave out buttercream cakes for up to 3 days, some say 4. Even fresh bread goes bad pretty quick! Ganache made with heavy cream is OK to leave out for days! Make it make sense please. 😅 It says cakes are allowable but what is an allowable frosting for it?!
![Selling food from home in florida [ Florida Cottage Food ] 10 Steps to Start](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/V6u7Oyxh8vY/mqdefault.jpg)
Thanks 🙏
Informative and pleasant to watch. Hope these presenters' sessions are shared on similar topics e.g. requirements for other food establishments (such as commercial or requirements for the fermented and sprouted foods). Thank y'all for answering questions and sharing this session!
Hi, Thank you for the video and all the information. I learned a lot. I was wondering what kind of jams or how many kinds of jam are allowed to sell under cottage food law in Florida? Thank you.
Hi, zma1625. We'll check with our staff/experts here, and get you an answer (posted here) soon. Thanks!
Hey, zma1625! Here's what our Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, Dr. Maria Portelos-Rometo, shared:
Under the current state cottage foods guidance, “Jams, jellies and preserves made from high acid fruits only.” High-acid fruits would include strawberries, peaches, apples, blueberries, blackberries, grapes, oranges, plums, etc. It is recommended that you follow a recipe using the "Complete Guide to Home Canning" (available for free download online). Also, in March and in April, I am offering two different 3- hour, in-person workshops on water bath canning. These workshops are a great way to learn the newest techniques in home canning. Both classes are taught at the UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County office in Sarasota, with registration through Eventbrite (ufsarasotaext.eventbrite.com). Please reach out (sarasota@ifas.ufl.edu) with any questions.
Is it ok if I have dogs in the house but not inside the kitchen
Thank you for reaching out to UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County. For your quesiton, the quick answer is “yes,” pets are allowable in the home. But, for food safety, all household pets need to be removed from the kitchen b efore food preparation can begin and not allowed to re-enter the kitchen until all food preparation is complete, which also includes packaging food samples if necessary.
Please reach out with any questions or concerns you might have going forward. Thanks!
Nice video. It answered a lot of my questions, though I still have some. Could I use a pepper powder in a baked item, or would that still disqualify it from being a cottage food?
Also, is there a resource to learn what permit/ requirements are needed to sell salsa and such?
Good morning, @smashstuff86. Sorry about the delay in replying; we've had staff away and this one slipped through the cracks. To get it back on track, we've shared your questions with key team members best positioned to provide you with answers. We'll post their information back here when ready. Thanks!
@@ufsarasotaext I appreciate the update.
@@smashstuff86 Our sustainable agriculture agent provided the following information: "(Individuals) can bake dried pepper into the bread and it is ok for cottage food.
Salsa is not covered under cottage food, and individuals would need to contact FDACS about appropriate permitting: www.fdacs.gov/Divisions-Offices/Food-Safety or
1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352)."
Hope that helps!
UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County
@@ufsarasotaext Yes, this is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you.
If Zucchini bread is allow can I include onions or garlic un break mix as well? Are pumking cookies allowed?
Hi, Tamyra. According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services-the state agency with regulatory oversight in this matter-if the fruit or vegetable is incorporated into the batter and properly baked, labeled and packaged, it is allowable. You cannot decorate or garnish the bread with fresh fruit or vegetables, though. Contact FDACS (www.fdacs.gov) for more information.
How do you sell alcohol infused frozen treats?
Good morning, Talkin Sweet. Here's the reply from our familly and consumer sciences agent:
You can find the link to the current Cottage Food Operations guidance at www.fdacs.gov/content/download/70108/file/CottageFoodOperations.pdf. That document notes selling “ice and/or ice products” is prohibited. Given that you inquired about selling frozen alcohol treats, I am guessing there is water in this mixture, besides the uncooked alcohol. So, without further ingredient information, I can only proceed with what is written in the Cottage Food guidance. Let me know if you need more information.
Best,
UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County
Hot dogs are not on the list?no hot dog stands?
Is zucchini bread allowed
What is the basis for restricting oils containing garlic? I’m hoping to sell a oil and garlic sauce and hopefully launch into an e-commerce business.
Good morning, Jason. Per our family and consumer sciences agent, Dr. Maria Portelos-Rometo: "A garlic-in-oil mixture is potentially hazardous because, if not handled properly, it can support the growth of Clostridium botulinum, which can be life threatening. Garlic-in-oil products need to be refrigerated even if salt and acid(s) have been added. Garlic-in-oil mixtures cannot be exposed to outdoor temperatures for more than one hour, or two hours if the product is in an air-controlled climate. Refrigerate garlic-in-oil mixtures promptly. Leftover garlic-in-oil should be discarded if the product has been exposed for more than two hours." Dr. Rometo also suggested participating in our Oct. 04 "Starting a Home-based Food Business: Dos and Don'ts" (register at www.eventbrite.com/e/617129359527), or contacting her directly for information at mrometo@scgov.net. Hope that helps!
@@ufsarasotaext thank you so much! Truly appreciate the prompt response and information. I’ll look to attend the class as well to learn more. Thanks again!
can you run a cottage food operation if your under 18?
From our FCS agent: "There is no mention of an age requirement in the guidance provided by the Florida Department of Agriculture (www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Food/Food-Establishments/Cottage-Foods). With this said, certain licensing does require the applicant to be 18 years and older. Also, there are fees associated with participation at farmer’s markets as well as the cost of insurance. UF/IFAS also has a wonderful publication on cottage foods, at edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FY1469. Hope that helps!"
From the prohibited list, I’m going to be making pastries with fruit and cream. Would I not be allowed to sell at flea markets or give out any samples?
Thanks for watching, and for the question. Our Family and Consumer Sciences Program agent offered the following:
Per the 2021 Cottage Foods guidance from FDAC:
Can I make homemade icings/frostings from dairy based cream cheeses and/or buttercream (with real butter)?
No. Cream cheese and butter icings are not allowed to be produced under cottage food. These items require refrigeration due to the high water content (made from cow’s milk) and are considered a TCS food (see below). Margarine (vegetable oils), shortening (solidified fat), vegan butter/margarine (made with vegetable oils) would be considered permissible.
So, you would not be allowed to sell your pastries at a flea market and provide samples.
Cottage Food Product may not be Time/Temperature Controlled for Safety (TCS) Food (formerly “potentially hazardous” food).
This means the final product may not be a food product that requires time/temperature control for safety to limit pathogenic microorganism growth or toxin formation; an animal food that is raw or heat-treated; a plant food that is heat-treated or consists of raw seed sprouts, cut melons, cut leafy greens, cut tomatoes or mixtures of cut tomatoes that are not modified in a way so that they are unable to support pathogenic microorganism growth or toxin formation; or garlic-in-oil mixtures that are not modified in a way so that they are unable to support pathogenic microorganism growth or toxin formation.
Hope that helps!
- UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County
How to register a name for your cottage food operation in FL
I go through Sunbiz.
Are freeze dried products allowed?
Good morning, Laurie. Our family and consumer sciences agent, Dr. Maria Portelos-Rometo replied:
"I was able to contact the office for Food Safety at the Florida Department of Agriculture in regards to allowable food items to be sold under Cottage Foods. Their response was the following:
'For freeze dried foods, ONLY fruits can be sold under Cottage Foods.
'No low acid food items such as meats and vegetables can be sold under Cottage Foods. So, freeze dried meats and vegetables ARE NOT an allowable item under Cottage Foods regulations.' "
Please feel free to contact us directly at sarasotas@ifas.ufl.edu if you have any further questions.
Am iI allowed to package samples in reuseable mason jars? I want to cut down on plastic.
Thank you for your inquiry. We have shared your question with the appropriate team member in our office, and will share the reply soon. Best, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County
Hi, Daniel. Sorry for the delay in getting you a response. Here's the reply from our team members:
The jars can be reused but must be sanitized between uses. High-temperature sanitization is the best ‘kill step’ to avoid contamination. Take note, as well, of what's being stored in the jars and how the jars are being used (e.g., pressure sealed or not).
Hope that helps!
Thank you for taking the time to reply. Majorly appreciated.
im not trying to be a dunce or anything like that, are they saying you cant use butter or milk and eggs as ingredients in your baked goods or you cant sell them as a single item?
@peepawttv7004 Our deepest apologies for not seeing your question/comment sooner. We have forwarded this to our staff, and will share their response here soon. Best, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County
A donut is a cottage food?
Thank you, Jose. We've reached out to our staff for an answer, and will share that as it becomes available.
Good morning, Jose. Checking with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, staff there recommended consulting the document at www.fdacs.gov/content/download/70108/file/Cottage-Food-Operations.pdf. They added "...most entities a permit would be required in order to sell donuts. Please see the below link for more information on permit requirements: www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Food/Food-Establishments/Retail-Food-Establishment-Permit)."
Hope that helps!
@@ufsarasotaext Thank you for the information. God bless you!!
I wonder why buttercream isn't allowable. Many say you can leave out buttercream cakes for up to 3 days, some say 4. Even fresh bread goes bad pretty quick! Ganache made with heavy cream is OK to leave out for days! Make it make sense please. 😅
It says cakes are allowable but what is an allowable frosting for it?!