Governor Perry signs three bills to benefit local farmer's markets

CONROE, Texas -- The cottage foods industry has finally been given permission to sit at the big table with the passage of three bills by the Texas Legislature that were signed by Governor Perry on Friday, June 14. Local farmer's markets like The Feast of Artisans Farmer's Market and the Grogan’s Mill Farmer’s Market will directly benefit from the bills for both local farmers and consumers. The effective date for the bills is September 1, 2013.

The Cottage Foods Bill, HB 970, encourages home-based food production. Until last year the making and selling of any food at all, other than uncut fruits and vegetables, had to be prepared in a commercial, licensed facility subject to the same regulations designed for large-scale industrial food production. Cottage food producers can now make specific low-risk foods in their homes, up to $50,000 per year, and sell directly to consumers without being regulated by the state and local health departments.

Bill HB 1382 allows farmers to provide samples at farmer’s markets and farm stands and not be subject to the same regulations stipulated for brick-and-mortar facilities. Allowing consumers to sample food encourages healthy eating and stimulates the local economy. The bill also clarifies the standards for cooking demonstrations at farmer's markets and exempts educational cooking demonstrations from permit fees.

The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is now required by the HB 1392 bill to provide better communication to farmers and food producers. The better communications bill requires that the DSHS respond to inquiries on how laws apply to farmers and/or food producers with 30 days so they can be in compliance with the law.

The passage of these bills will directly and immediately affect the Conroe Saturday AM Market which sets up every Saturday, on the corner of No. Main and Metcalf St. in downtown Conroe.

" ," said Joe Fleshner, who organized and coordinates the Saturday market.

The bills can be reviewed in their entirety at Farm and Ranch Freedom.

Still pending is HB 910, which would put a cap on the fees assessed local farmers who choose to sell their products at multiple markets. For more information on HB 910 visit the following link: Pending state house bills to favor local farmers.