It's mentioned that's how a lot of people get turned in.

I always wonder about the "people" that are turning someone else in. Is is the personal thrill of telling themselves "ha, ha I showed them they can't get away with that".

Don't try to tell me they do it for the public's best interest. They do it because they get enjoyment telling on others, or they think they saved the world. Or, they have just too much time on their hands.

I never got the concept of "turning" someone in.

You may say they are breaking the law. Yes, and when the time comes they will be caught and dealt with. But, it's not for me to "turn" someone in.

In school we called that a Tattle Tale.

Here's a question. I know a woman who bakes cookies and puts them into baskets that she puts together for sale. Her business is gift baskets, not baking. Does she escape the whole licensing dilemma? The cookies are just one of the many things that she will put into a basket, but if you want cookies she will bake them...and they're very good. She also sells them at bake sales in packs of six, with a tag attached advertising her baskets. Hmmm. Is this just a very clever way to sell her baked goods and get around the law? I wonder????

Mickig

What she is doing is not legal, unless she is baking in a licensed kitchen. Putting stuff in gift baskets does not exempt her from the rules.

Many people just don't know any better. Unless you have some reason to ask, it doesn't occur to some people to wonder if there are rules around what they are doing.

When I investigated moving to Florida in 1999, they still allowed you to bake from home, so...it took me a year to close down my house and my bakery in Pennsylvania and get rid of my equipment.

I come down and quess what? While I was up North packing to come South ...they changed the rules!

So, I got a job temping instead and because I live on the Beach, I got one of those teeny tiny kitchens..not worth the stress to even bake for my family.

The "rumor" was that the Baker's Association ( or whatever political group..) got together and petitioned to have the rules changed...too many home bakers where undercutting the Retail Bakeries and they were losing money left and right and closing down.

So, they came up with the "rules of engagement" to protect an economic system created by teh mom an pop bakeries.

Well, that's what I heard anyway! lol

I think that this is a very heated topic. I respect everyone who is licensed and for some it is easy and others very hard. Here it is very hard but it is legal to sell cakes. We cannot advertise -not even a business card. I have spoke with my department of ag and they confirmed it. Now I do not make any amount that would have anything to do with my taxes. If I did you can just claim it under bakesale laws. Just a thought for the Minnesotans!
I personally do not undercut.
I am in process of dealing with licensing. I envy those in PA and Virginia-You have it easier from what I hear. You can be licensed with your home kitchen.

Edited to add that we cannot sell to licensed venues!!

Thanks moydear! I was thinking that we couldn't sell at all here w/o lic. I'm so glad because there has been people that asked to buy a cake from me and I always tell them that I can't because it's illegal. Not that I'm starting a business, not at all, I just hate saying no to people for the occasional cake order!

Flava... It still has to be BAKED in the licensed kitchen in MN in order to sell it even if you aren't advertising... Direct from the inspector and complaince officers I/DH/Kitchen Manager/Business Manager all talked with... Of course, if you've got access to the space, it's worth going through the two inspections and ServeSafe so you can advertise...

There is the bake sale and church clause, but of course, it has to be at those venues...

Moydear 77
I think your listing only applies to food products produce on a farm or home garden; Referring to garden produce.

No really read the bold print. I do speak to my guy at the Department of Agriculture at least every three months. Read the bold print. He knows that I do cakes and sell them.
I would be others not in the food business.

others not in food business

or to persons not regularly engaged in the business of manufacturing and selling food and who prepare food only on order of and for sale the ultimate consumer

This exclusion applies to others and not just farmers--That is why they list churchs too.

Moydear 77
I think your listing only applies to food products produce on a farm or home garden; Referring to garden produce.

I've enjoyed this thread.

I'm not licensed but want to be. 99.9% of the cakes that I do are "freebies" but I'm always hoping someone will see one and call and make an order. On the other hand, I'm always nervous about being reported.
There are only about 2 "legal" bakeries in my area, but that is not why I want to be legal. I love decorating cakes and want to be able to advertise and sell them and not have to be worried about it.
I have 10 acres and could easily have a separate building and all the rest of the requirements to be "legal". But don't know if I could be as strong as Risque about the financial end of it. I've spent the better part of yesterday finding out about the different grants, loans, etc. available. Not much help.

So here you have someone really wanting to be legal but unable to figure out how. So am forced to do it from home - illegally.

Thanks for listening! It's so frustrating!

And as a matter of fact, Thursday, I saw some of those very small mobile homes for sale. Very cute, very small and the thought ran through my mind, I wonder if I could get one of those and renovate it into a shop? Already has a kitchen, bathroom, etc......
I'm in the county as far as zoning and it would pass. Now the septic tank, power, etc. to check on.
I'm going to have my own place. And yes, it will just take some time.

Will post my business sign "Chuck's Custom Cakes" in honor of my Daddy.

Can't wait 'til Monday now

The one question I would have in regard to the MN statute is (genuine curiosity here, so might just call on it out of that curiosity for my own sake, there are times when getting into the rented space becomes a battle of butting heads), with the intention of the law, I know it's in reference to those who grow and sell products like to the farmer's market, a food stand at their Christmas Tree farm or apple orchard on a weekend, or honey which requires some level of manufacturing to get it into the jar, etc., but the loophole part of it to answer the question "Can Grandma Bake My Wedding Cake, yet still deliver it to my licensed reception venue."..

Like I said, it's a genuine curiousness on the aspect of, if I'm baking a cake, not advertising, her reception is taking place in a licensed venue, can I still bring the cake in that was baked in the home kitchen, legally??

Might just have to check into this one

I have consistantly wrote in my post that this does not apply to licensed venues.

Go back and read. It says Farmer; others

It also talks about churches. Why such doubt. My guy at the Department of Ag know that I am not a farmer and that I am selling cakes.

I did write that this does not apply to licensed venues.

CoutureCake:
I know here in Alabama, if the bride and/or groom let the church know that the cake is a gift, it's allowed. But someone has to ask first. Same at restaurants.

"Being on both sides of the fence as I have sold from home illegally and been licensed, to me all the health dept cares about is the check you're writing to them for your permit. My kitchen is a clean today as it was in 1970, just the rules have changed. "

StCakes, I have to more than half heartedly agree with you there! lol

You're right..but, one does what one does and keep on the right side of the laws and hope for the best!

I really don't know What I would've done if I had had a bigger kitchen.

so, I won't go there..just keep on churning out those cakes to pay my bills!! lol