Local Inspires Cottage Food Bill on Governor Brown's Desk

The Homemade Food Act would allow folks like Mark Stambler to sell certain locally produced foods in their communities.

From Echo Park / Silver Lake Patch - August 31, 2012 - By Anthea Raymond

AB1616

Silver Lake resident Mark Stambler, whose experience trying to make and sell home-baked bread in local specialty shops inspired the Homemade Food Act, now awaiting Governor Brown's signature.Credit Office of Mike Gatto

"Write the Governor a letter," says Mark Stambler, whose experience trying to sell home-baked bread in two stores inspired the Homemade Food Act.

The act, otherwise known as Assembly Bill 1616, is now on Governor Brown's desk after approval in both the California Senate and Assembly on Thursday.

The bill would permit breads, tortillas, cookies, preserves, nuts and other small-batch items produced in the home to be sold directly to consumers and in stores.

Certain public health protections would have to be met first, however.

Silver Lake resident Stambler became a poster child for micro-entrepreneurs trying to market their own products.

The health department refused to allow him to sell home-baked bread in two local stores.

Assemblyman Mike Gatto, who also lives in Silver Lake, took up his case and sponsored AB1616. (Watch the video below for more on the bill.)

“Creating a legal structure for the safe, in-home production of certain foods that respects the importance of public health is a sensible approach that will spark more economic activity in our local economies and in California,” Gatto said in a statement.

Governor Brown has until the end of the month to sign the bill.

Cities and counties around the state have gone on the record opposing AB1616, fearing the risks they say it may create for them.

Supporters, like Stambler, say the governor's signature is not certain, and he urged anyone who supports the bill to send a letter to Sacramento.

See a five minute video of the story behind AB 1616 and learn more about Assemblyman Mike Gatto's support for Mark Stambler and other Cottage Food businesses by clicking HERE

See this story and more at the Echo Park / Silver Lake Patch HERE

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Mike Gatto is the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the California State Assembly.  He represents the cities of Burbank, Glendale, and Los Feliz and Silver Lake neighborhoods of Los Angeles.  E-mail Mike at: assemblymember.gatto@assembly.ca.gov, or call (818) 558-3043.

Website of Assemblyman Mike Gatto: www.asm.ca.gov/gatto