Public Interest Law Firm Applauds Oregon Lawmakers for Passing Bipartisan Homemade Food Bill, Encourages Gov. Kotek to Sign Into Law

ARLINGTON, Va.—Today, the Oregon Legislature passed a bill, sponsored by Sen. Tim Knopp, that would expand the state’s cottage food industry, allowing at-home food producers a better chance to earn an honest living. The Institute for Justice (IJ), the nation’s leading advocate for cottage food producers, applauds the passage and encourages Gov. Tina Kotek to sign the bill into law. 

Cottage food producers are entrepreneurs who sell shelf-stable homemade foods, such as cakes, cookies and jam. Some do so to supplement income, while others do it as a primary source of income. 

If signed into law, this legislation will:  

• Raise the annual gross revenue cap for cottage food producers from $20,000 to $50,000; 
• allow for online sales, mail delivery, and sales to retail stores;  
• protect the safety of food producers by no longer requiring them to list their home addresses on their food labels; 
• and, ensure that the state cannot ban pet owners from selling homemade foods, as long as pets remain outside the kitchen during production. 

“This bill is a huge step in the right direction for Oregon’s cottage food producers,” said IJ Director of Activism Special Projects Jennifer McDonald. “In particular, raising the revenue cap and allowing for retail sales will allow cottage food producers to more fully reach their potential and support their families. We call on Governor Kotek to sign this bipartisan bill into law.”