10/16 Seeking People Affected by VT’s Home and Farm Based Food Production and Processing Laws!

Seeking People Affected by VT’s Home and Farm Based Food Production and Processing Laws!

Rural Vermont has been hearing for a number of years from people in our membership about the need to update VT’s Home and Farm Based Food Production and Processing Laws, sometimes also referred to as “cottage food” laws. These laws relate to home baking regulations and income thresholds, home kitchens and processing that is non-baking such as canning, and more. Beginning in 2024, the Vermont Department of Health now requires producers who work from a home kitchen to add a new disclaimer to their labels stating: “Made in a home kitchen not inspected by the Vermont Department of Health.” If you are affected by these laws, or other laws related to small scale processing, if you have questions, concerns or ideas - please fill out this form.

We’re hoping to bring together a number of producers to determine collectively the appropriate path / s towards creating scale appropriate regulations for VT’s small businesses. For additional questions or info, reach out to Graham (graham@ruralvermont.org) and Caroline (caroline@ruralvermont.org).