This year, the Southwest Florida Ag Expo is introducing a Cottage Food division, a first for the state. This new addition is exciting, as it gives people a chance to explore and improve their lives through food entrepreneurship.
The Cottage Food law was established in 2011, allowing small farms to create and sell homemade products. Jennifer Hagen, a representative from the University of Florida/IFAS Extension, explains that this initiative helps farmers earn extra income beyond their crops. Basically, it opens doors for them to create value-added products.
What’s unique about Cottage Food operations is that they don’t require licenses or permits, and they aren’t inspected by the government. However, there is a cap on sales; these operations can make up to $250,000 annually. Certain food items can be produced right at home without following strict commercial safety regulations. These items are typically those that don’t require refrigeration or careful temperature control.
Some examples of what can be made include:
- Breads, rolls, and biscuits
- Cakes, pastries, and cookies
- Candies and confections
- Honey
- Jams, jellies, and preserves from high-acid fruits
- Dried fruits and fruit pies
- Homemade pasta and cereals
- Vinegar and flavored vinegars
- Nut butters and popcorn
These products generally have a good shelf life, making them suitable for sale. Another benefit is that you don’t need formal food safety training to participate. However, those aspiring to sell their creations at the expo must complete a short online class about basic food safety. This ensures they understand essential practices like proper handwashing.
Traditionally, fairs featured baking contests or showcased canned goods like pickles and salsa. Jennifer aims to shift the focus to fostering entrepreneurship in food. Miriam Dotson, a spokesperson for the Ag Expo, believes that this new division will help people learn more about food sources and enhance their culinary skills.
The Southwest Florida Ag Expo is set to take place from February 27 to March 9 at the Lee County Civic Center complex, located at 11831 Bayshore Road in North Fort Myers. For those curious about this event, more details can be found on the expo’s website.
