I wrote to the dept of agriculture in NE to find out for myself about home kitchens. Here's his response. I cut and pasted it below. (It basically says OK provided you sell something that won't spoil directly to your client - not to a store, restaurant etc). Hope you find this helpful. - Carla



"Home kitchens are not licensed for commercial food production. However, cakes and other non-potentially hazardous baked goods may be produced in the home kitchen and sold to individuals.

Products sold in commercial establishments (retail grocery, restaurants) must come from an inspected, licensed facility.

Our procedures state that no enforcement action is taken provided food produced in a private home is not a potentially hazardous baked good, has not been advertised to the public, and is sold directly to the consumer."

Some food for thought-

This is going to put a damper on business prospects.

Something else to consider- would you be able to provide wedding cake at a licensed vending site?

It's nothing new, it's always been this way. I'm guessing it's up to the Venue if they require licensing or not but I don't know that for a fact. Where are you located leahk?

I live overseas- I was just trying to be devil's advocate.

it also depends on what county you live in. In Douglas county you can not spend more than 3 days a week in the cake business, no more than 30% of your income can come from cakes, and in no way can you advertise. Simply creating a menu of choices is considered advertising. This informantion is from a douglas county health inspector

Well that puts a damper on menus and pricing lists.....hmmmmm..... Do you try and get away with it or what?! Just ask the client what they want and leave out the menu?! Frustrating!!

Hi there, I live just outside of Omaha in Dodge county Nebraska....I was wondering what your letter said when you wrote to the dept of ag? I think I'd like to write them now since a few years have passed since you posted this! Thanks