In 2011, Florida began allowing individuals to sell, make and store certain products, now known as “Cottage Food“, in an unlicensed, home kitchen. This made room for local farmers’ markets to add more vendors who have a passion for creating the ultimate dish in their homes… and farmers’ markets began to grow larger, gain in popularity and new ones began to spring up all across Florida, including Amelia Island.

Items like bread, cakes, cookies, candies, jellies and jams are all included in the new law. Florida laws, as do other states, have some restrictions.

–In Florida, as a cottage food operation you can not exceed $15,000 gross sales for your annual total.
–You must sell directly to the consumer, not by the internet or by mail order.
–Specific labeling applies.

What is interesting to note is that cottage food laws only apply to human food, so items like dog treats for example, fall under the Feed Inspection Program.

The image shown with this article (Click on image to enlarge.) describes some of the items that do, and do not, fall under the approved list of Cottage Foods.

At the Fernandina Beach Market Place farmers’ market in historic, downtown Fernandina Beach, we have a combination of Cottage Food booths, as well as booths that are run by local restaurants, local bee-keepers, farmers, or others who may have more, or different, requirements to fill when serving up delicious treats.

Items like jerky, canned relish, salsas, pickles and hummus cannot be manufactured under the Cottage Food guidelines. Fish, meat, dairy, Foccaccia-style breads, oils and dips are all regulated by other organizations such as the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Join us February 1st, and each and every Saturday, on Amelia Island, for small town charm and super friendly vendors at our farmers market, where you’ll find fruits and seasonal vegetables, as well as local homemade goodies, all set to the soundtrack of local musicians who perform weekly at the Market Place. We ARE the place to be on Saturday mornings!

We are open from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, rain or shine. For more information, please call (904) 557-8229.

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