Microbakeries, porch bakeries and farm stands are popping up all around Lane County. Small boxes left on porch steps with an “honor system” sign might be stocked weekly with sourdough loaves or spiced muffins, where customers can send money over via Venmo or leave cash for their goodies. Other businesses operate on Instagram or Facebook and deliver their goodies right to a customer’s house or have a pick-up day from a certain coffee shop in town.
These small businesses might seem like the answer to questions that have been on a lot of people’s mind recently: “How can I make sure my money stays in my community?” and “How can I support my neighbors with my dollars?”
If you’re considering switching from shopping at a big-box grocery store to a small bakery business, now could be the time. But it’s important to familiarize yourself with Oregon’s license exemption laws first to know what to buy and what not to buy at an establishment operating under the state’s cottage food law.
What falls under cottage food laws in Oregon?
Cottage food laws fall under the Oregon food license exemptions, meaning businesses operating under cottage food laws do not need to apply for a food safety license. It might seem sketchy to buy food directly from someone’s uninspected kitchen, but cottage bakers have a variety of rules they have to follow in order to keep customers safe, according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture…