The Kohala Center is seeking public comment about proposed regulatory changes that would impact homemade food operations in Hawaii.
The Kohala Center is seeking public comment about proposed regulatory changes that would impact homemade food operations in Hawaii.
The proposed recommendations would ease restrictions on homemade food operations, specifically those related to sales locations and the temporary food establishment application process. The proposed process would institute an annual permitting process versus the current rule requiring operators to reapply for permits every 120 days, and would expand sales opportunities beyond direct-to-consumers sales to include wholesale and retail opportunities.
The recommendations and public comment survey can be found online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/cottage-food-survey. While The Kohala Center encourages the public to submit comments via the online survey, input also may be submitted via email to info@kohalacenter.org or by mail to The Kohala Center, P.O. Box 437462, Kamuela, HI 96743. The deadline for public comment is Wednesday.
Recommendations to support Hawaii’s homemade food operations were developed by several members of the Hawaii Cottage Food Industry Working Group in mid-October in response to legislative mandate S.C.R. No. 97 (2014). The working group included individuals from commodity associations, retail establishments, local university programs, value-added producers, and the Hawaii Department of Health.
These recommendations propose a new regulatory framework for homemade food operations that would allow foods produced in home kitchens to be sold in more diverse markets during an unrestricted period of time, provided the operator completes required training and secures necessary permits. The proposed regulatory framework draws upon cottage-food laws adopted by 41 states and includes elements related to food safety training, sanitary guidelines, labeling, allowable foods and permits.
Funding for the Cottage Food Business Working Group is provided by the Ulupono Initiative, with additional support from the Sustainable Economies Law Center and The Kohala Center.