Local Food Columbus » Local Food Processing
Cottage food expansion gets support at public hearing
On Wednesday, May 13th the ODA held the public hearing on expanding the list of “Cottage” foods (see that article). A number of farmer’s market managers and vendors spoke in support of the rule change. No one spoke in opposition. Several witnesses spoke of the economic benefits of new small businesses that can now start in the home kitchen with little capital and grow sustainably. The rule will expand opportunity for small farmers to produce the more profitable value-added products, previously reserved for those with access to a commercial kitchen. Officials at the ODA are optimistic about the passage of the rule. Patti Haden, of Ohio Proud, in a memo shortly after the hearing, said “The new rule should be in place by mid-June, 2009.” We will be following this story and … Read entire article »
Filed under: Farmer's Markets, Local Food Processing, Policy and Regulation
ODA Considers Expanding List of Cottage Foods
Cottage foods are those that are allowed to be produced in a home without need of a commercial kitchen it allows food entrepreneurs to sell their goods without significant start-up capital. There will be a public hearing on Wednesday May 13th at 8:30 am at ODA to review a proposal to expand the list of foods covered under Ohio’s cottage food law. Full information on the hearing and rules is linked below. The current rules allow mostly baked goods. The proposed changes will expand that to many other foods. In my opinion, this is one more step toward smaller localized production of food and away from the monopoly large industrial facilities have previously held. It is good for the local economy, good for small farmers and entrepreneurs. I encourage those with an … Read entire article »
Filed under: Local Food Processing, Policy and Regulation
H.R. 875 and the Food Safety Bills
The analysis below clarifies what the bill will and will not do. Mentioned is HR.759 which can cause some issues for small farmers including recordkeeping requirements for farms and safety standards for fresh produce. Link to HR.759 PDF Link to HR.875 PDF Food & Water Watch’ s Statement on H.R. 875 and the Food Safety Bills The dilemma of how to regulate food safety in a way that prevents problems caused by industrialized agriculture but doesn’t wipe out small diversified farms is not new and is not easily solved. And as almost constant food safety problems reveal the dirty truth about the way much of our food is produced, processed and distributed, it’s a dilemma we need to have serious discussion about. Most consumers never thought they had to worry about peanut butter and … Read entire article »
Filed under: Local Food Processing, New Farmers, Policy and Regulation
Schoharie Co-op Cannery
Community cannery is being explored in eastern upstate NY. The cannery will serve local farmers as a co-packer providing canned foods that farmers will sell directly to their customers. It may be worth following their progress for ideas on our own Ohio regional cannery. Schoharie Co-op Cannery. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Local Food Processing
Meeting on New Food Processing Infrastructure in Ohio
Leslie Schaller, Consultant and Director of AceNet’s Food Venture Center will be presenting at a state level meeting next Wednesday, February 18th from 10-12:00 at the Ohio Department of Agriculture If you are in any stage of the process of developing a Food Business Incubator – or “shared use commercial kitchen”. please join us. The goals of the meeting are to identify the existing and nascent efforts across the state of Ohio, share information on the different scales and models, operation, and ongoing support for these facilities. More information and RSVP info at localfoodsystems.org … Read entire article »
Filed under: Local Food Processing, Meetings & Events
Local Food Cannery & Shared-Use Commercial Kitchen
Idea stage: A non-profit shared commercial kitchen and food processing facility specializing in creating value-added and preserved foods from local farm products. The focus will be on producing foods to be sold in the state of Ohio. A commercial meat canning license would be maintained. Cheese making capability can be considered if sufficient demand exists. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Local Food Processing
Food Pantry Research
By Karen G. Thank you for the opportunity to address an issue that is very near and dear to my heart. That is the need to talk about and make changes in the availability of fresh vegetables. I would like to enlist the help of churches, non-profits and even individual gardeners to grow locally and donate it to pantries. The following information and ideas are from my research into why and how food could be improved for everyone. The need for fresh and healthy produce is vast and unending. Fresh locally grown pesticide free food would solve many problems our society is facing. Health problems such as heart disease, colon cancer and obesity could be prevented.(over 30% according to health experts. 50% was quoted by a Surgeon General at a hearing according … Read entire article »
Filed under: Farmer's Markets, Food Pantries, Local Food Processing, New Farmers
