AB 1616, The California Homemade Food Act: What You Need to Know

Highlights from Rachael Narins article in LA Weekly:

...When bread baker Mark Stambler's homemade bread operation -- he was selling in a few local markets -- was shut down by health inspectors in 2011, Stambler decided to do something about it... 

...Thanks to the help of Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-CA) the law [AB 1616] -- which includes two types of permits -- was written, passed and went in to effect on Jan. 1... 

...So what does the law mean to you, the aspiring Cottage Food Operator (CFO) and which type of permit should you get, if any? There is a lot more to it than what we are able to cover here, but this is a good place to start. The Department of Public Health has a FAQ page with lots of additional information... 

...A cottage food law course is being created, and when it is implemented, all permit holders will be required to take it within 90 days of the permit being issued... 

...Once you have all of that established, there is still the matter of being a real, registered business. You need to be paying taxes. If you rent your home, the lease must allow for a home business. You should check with your municipal zoning office to make sure home businesses are allowed where you live. You should also be insured and have a food handlers license. None of those are prerequisites, but without them, the permit won't help you much...

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You can read this entire article and more at LA Weekly by clicking HERE

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

Mike Gatto is the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the California State Assembly.  He represents the cities of Burbank, Glendale, La Canada-Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, and portions of the Hollywood Hills and East Hollywood.   www.asm.ca.gov/gatto