Updates to Texas Cottage Food Law benefits home-vendors

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The state is giving more freedom to home-based food vendors, thanks to recent updates to the Texas Cottage Food Law.

The law allows home bakers to prepare and sell low-risk food items straight from their home kitchens, no commercial kitchen or license required.

However, as of last month, Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 541 into law. The bill expands the types of foods that can be sold, allows some wholesale opportunities, and triples the annual sales cap for small business owners.

Joe Williams, with the Texas Department of State Health Services, says he does not anticipate any major risks coming from the changes.

"I think the health concerns with cottage foods are the same with any other restaurant or food manufacturer that produces food and sells to the public," Williams said.

Brenda Castillo, owner of The Sourdough Castle, says thanks to the recent updates to the Texas Cottage Food Law, she’s finding new ways to grow her business.

"I do plan to expand my baked goods though, and collaborate with other people, markets. Now that we have more flexibility, that I do plan to do," Castillo said.

Everardo Garcia, owner of Hello Moon Baked Goods, says he’s especially excited about the increased sales cap, which he believes opens more financial opportunities for home-based food vendors in the Rio Grande Valley.

"They changed what we can make annually from $50,000 to $150,000. That's a big amount, and down here in the Valley, you can do a lot with that amount of money. It's not a guarantee that you'll make it, but it's exciting to know that that number is a possibility for your business," Garcia said.

For more information on the updates to the Texas Cottage Food Law, visit Texas DSHS.