Florida State Bill 1900 Florida Food Freedom Act of 2010
Support Florida Food Freedom Act of 2010 - This bill is not exclusive to small farms but small local food producers and will allow home food processing of non-potentially hazardous products like bread, cakes, cookies etc. Visit: http://www.ftcldf.org/aa/aa-26feb2010.htm

Where does it says it will allow food processing from home like cakes, breads, etc. I will participate if I knew it will allow this.

Do you know when it going to the floor for a vote ?

any more info on this? I'm very interested if it will allow to open a homebased cake business.

This is the latest thing I found on the Florida Senate website:

03/02/10 SENATE Introduced, referred to Agriculture; Community Affairs; Health Regulation; General Government Appropriations

Paul

maybe I'm not looking in the right place, but i dont see anything about cakes, cookies or breads.

Only info about farms and eggs.

I don't see anything either. Doesn't appear to have anything to do with baking cakes from home.

I think the law would imply bakers as well (or at least open it up to bakers) since we also make potentially non-hazardous foods...I think this law could be our foot in the door even though it doesn't specifically reference cake bakers.

Paul

You should probably contact the Department of Ag because if you read it, it specifically references small farms, not selling baked goods. I think it is risky to assume.

I'm not assuming anything...I said that it implies it could open it up for home bakers....Of course, if the bill passes, asking the Department of Agriculture for their interpretation of that law would make the most sense.

Paul

This is the response I received from the Department of Agriculture today regarding the Bill:

"Thank you for your recent inquiry regarding Senate Bill 1900. This proposed bill is working its way through the current Legislative session. The questions that you pose are typically what would be addressed in committee meetings, however, as of this time, no committee has yet taken up this bill. For this reason, we are unable to comment on what the effects would be with any degree of certainty. We do not want to speculate, since bills are often changed during committee meetings. So please understand that we are in a wait and see mode like everyone else."

The Florida branch of ICES sent out a newsletter last week stating that the bill will allow for homebaking. It's at my house, but if I remember to later this week, I will post it here.

This is copied and pasted from the ICES newsletter.

We relayed info at the last
DOS concerning a possible bill in
the FL legislature called The
Cottage Foods Act, which would
legalize the sale of home baked
cakes and cookies. You may
write to your legislators and
request their help in getting this
act passed.
Use the link to find out
who is your representative.
Once on the site, if you do not
know your district #, just click
on Find My Representative,
insert your address, and it will
give your reps name and address.
h t t p : / /
www.myfloridahouse.gov/
Sections/Representatives/
representatives.aspx
If you would like to have a
sample letter contact Cathy
Wana t a t
[email protected] or
407- 353-9978 cell.

Ok... so the cottage food act it's different from the Florida Food freedom act?...

My good friend is a aid for Paula Dockery. I'm asking her for advice on how to proceede w/ petitions or any inside info she may have...if any at all. Will post reply.

Bad news guys. Here's the message from my friend...


Jaime- Sorry I haven't had a chance to call you. It has gotten a little crazy! anyway, 1900 did not make it through this Session. It did not even get a hearing. So sorry! If you want more info, you can see it at http://www.flsenate.gov/session/index.cfm?Mode=Bills&Submenu=1&BI_Mode=ViewBillInfo&Billnum=1900&Year=2010.

So sorry friend! Senator Baker will be in office next year and you might want to call his office and find out why it didn't get through or even get heard. For some reason, the Committee chair did not agenda the bill, which could be for who knows what! He may bring it back next year if he has enough constituent support.

Anyway, that is the update! I have been wanting to call you and right when I am going to, something gets in the way!

Blessing and hugs!

Yadi

LuvLyrics,

I have not been able to find a separate bill called the Cottage Foods Act in Florida. I believe the two were one in the same.

Maybe next year...right!?

[quote="TPACakeGirl"]This is copied and pasted from the ICES newsletter.

We relayed info at the last
DOS concerning a possible bill in
the FL legislature called The
Cottage Foods Act, which would
legalize the sale of home baked
cakes and cookies.

Does anyone know about this Cottage Food Act and where it stands?

I tried to Google it...Yahoo it, ask about it...nothing comes up under that name.

FL legislature called The
Cottage Foods Act, which would
legalize the sale of home baked
cakes and cookies. You may
write to your legislators and
request their help in getting this
act passed.
Use the link to find out
who is your representative.
Once on the site, if you do not
know your district #, just click
on Find My Representative,
insert your address, and it will
give your reps name and address.
h t t p : / /
www.myfloridahouse.gov/
Sections/Representatives/
representatives.aspx
If you would like to have a
sample letter contact Cathy
Wana t a t
[email protected] or
407- 353-9978 cell.

We should be able to call our representative they may have answers.

I wrote to my representative, Seth McKeel. We'll see if he replies.

Use this link to view a copy of the Bill:
http://www.flsenate.gov/data/session/2010/Senate/bills/billtext/pdf/s1900.pdf

Yep...this is the one that died without even being heard by the commitee. They won't look at it this year. We'll have to wait for the next session to come around.

I wrote to my representative and his legislative assistant wrote back with this reply...


Dear Jaime,

Thank you for your e-mail to Rep. McKeel. As you know, the Florida Food
Freedom Act was not heard in committee this session. However, the budget
includes funding for a study by the Department of Agriculture and
Consumer Services on state and local regulations and how they affect
small farms/businesses when introducing their products into commerce. By
the end of this year, the Department will submit recommendations to the
President of the Senate and Speaker of the House on the most efficient
and effective ways to ensure food safety while minimizing the cost to
small farmers and businesses. I'd look for legislation during next
year's Session.

Sincerely,

Callie Neslund
Legislative Assistant to Rep. Seth McKeel
(863) 647-4896