ROANOKE, Va. — A new Virginia law now allows home-based bakers to sell their products online, over the phone and ship them anywhere in the state.
Before July, those types of sales were prohibited. Home bakers were required to conduct all transactions in person.
Local baker sees new opportunities
Sebrina Ruth-Cooper, owner of Bite Me Confections, said the previous law limited how far her home-based marshmallow business could grow. She previously sold her products at vendor markets, festivals and pop-up events throughout the Roanoke Valley and Franklin County.
“I have always made marshmallows. Gave them for Christmas presents and things. And then back when I was teaching, our school district froze our salary. So I thought, well, huh, I think I could probably sell these to make some extra money. And so I started selling at Dickens over Christmas years ago,” Ruth-Cooper said…