Photo: Senator Dru Kanuha Recognized by Hawaiʻi Coffee Association
Allowing the cottage food industry to grow in Hawaii
Companion bills in the Hawaii legislature offer Hawaiians improved access to local food in the house and state senate.
HB520 in the Hawaii house
Hawaii Legislature: HB520 – Relating to Economic Development
Report Title: Economic Development; Access to Local Food Act; Cottage Food Operations; Department of Health; Permit; Rules
Description: Establishes the Access to Local Food Act to allow cottage food operations to sell cottage food products, under certain conditions, upon receiving a permit from the Department of Health.
Introducers: Nakashima, Hashimoto, Kapela, Lowen, Marten, Matayoshi, Nishimoto, Tarnas, Todd
SB756 in the Hawaii senate
Hawaii Legislature: SB756 – Relating to Economic Development
Report Title: Economic Development; Access to Local Food Act; Cottage Food Operations; Department of Health; Permit; Rules
Description: Establishes the Access to Local Food Act to allow cottage food operations to sell cottage food products, under certain conditions, upon receiving a permit from the Department of Health.
Introducers: Kanuha, Aquino, Chang, Keith-Agaran, McKelvey, Dela Cruz, Fukunaga, Kidani, Moriwaki, Richards, Wakai
Hawaii Access to Local Food Act Bill Text
HB520 and SB756 are companion bills and they read the same.
Introduction:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that local food production is integral to the State’s economic development and food security. Homemade food that is sold directly to consumers, or “cottage food”, is a small but growing industry, and is preferred among many consumers who are mindful of responsible sourcing and healthy eating options and those who want to support the local communities and individuals producing the foods they consume.
The legislature further finds that there is great interest in small-scale cottage food operations in the State, but the existing regulatory framework creates several challenges for entrepreneurs, especially for those in rural areas who do not have access to commercial or certified kitchens. In fact, Hawai‘i is one of only a few remaining states that does not provide certain exemptions from its department of health for cottage foods. Amending state law to expand access to local cottage food products will help foster small businesses, innovation, and economic growth. Moreover, cottage food operations offer locally made alternatives to imported brands, create local employment opportunities, can help keep more money circulating within the State’s economy and increase tax revenue.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish the Access to Local Foods Act and allow cottage food operations to sell cottage food products, under certain conditions, upon receiving a permit from the department of health.
Full bill texts can be read on the HB520 bill text page and SB756 bill text page.
Takeaways
These bills essentially allow people to sell value-added food products made in their private home’s kitchen or farm kitchen. A list outlines categories for those value added products.
(1) Freeze drying;
(2) Jelly, jam, preserve, and conserve making;
(3) Acidifying low-acid products;
(4) Pickling;
(5) Fermenting; or
(6) Dehydrating;
There is an approved recipe list for those value-added products.
(1) Shall only sell products made from recipes that have been approved by:
(A) The department pursuant to this subsection;
(B) Organizations and institutions such as the National Center for Home Food Preservation; Hawaii Master Food Preservers, Inc.; or universities with participating master food preservers; or
(C) Additional organizations and institutions approved by the department that approve recipes for appropriate pH and water values for food safety; and
Those food products must be labeled “Made in a Home or Farm Kitchen” and “Not inspected by the Department of Health,” along with allergen information and ingredients in order of predominance.
