Sweet success! Why local cottage bakeries are becoming increasingly popular

Cottage bakers are finding sweet success in selling their goods online, at farmers markets, fairs, and roadside stands. | Envato photo POCATELLO — From artisan sourdough loaves and irresistible cookies to homemade jams and decadent cakes, East Idaho’s cottage bakeries are thriving. Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are brimming with local bakers showcasing their creations, drawing attention to the growing trend of home-based baking businesses. Under Idaho’s cottage food laws, bakers can sell non-potentially hazardous foods directly to consumers without needing a commercial kitchen license. This has opened the door for hobbyists and aspiring entrepreneurs to turn their passion for baking into profitable side hustles. Maddie Giesbrecht, who is a cottage baker and works with other cottage bakers for her business Farm Fresh Farmstand in Chubbuck, credits the rise in cottage bakeries to the pandemic. “I definitely think COVID had a big part in the increased popularity of cottage bakeries,” she said. “It was an eye-opener for so many people to see how dependent we are on grocery stores as well as traditional workplaces. When all those shut down, people were left floundering. It was a good time for people to learn new self-sufficient skills to keep them busy during COVID and prepare for anything similar in the future.” Giesbrecht also believes the increased demand for cottage goods stems from a growing desire to consume foods with fewer additives and preservatives. Merrill Hemming, an Environmental Health and Food Safety Specialist at Eastern Idaho Public Health, acknowledges the financial appeal of home-based bakeries. “The overall cost of renting or building a facility is increasing. Even though the food license itself is not expensive, the cost to pay rent, employees, and other expenses is rising,” he said. “Baking in the home allows people to use equipment they are comfortable with and maintain flexibility.” “I usually bake when my little one is sleeping just to eliminate any distractions that may reduce the quality of my products,” Giesbrecht noted. “I do a deep clean of my kitchen and dining area before baking and keep animals and kids out during the process to prevent contamination.” Cottage baker Maddie Giesbrecht makes an array of jams and jellies to sell at her farmstand on Chubbuck Road | Photo courtesy of Maddie Giesbrecht While the cottage food industry provides financial flexibility, there are still food safety guidelines that bakers must adhere to. According to Hemming, bakers do not require a formal license to operate a cottage food business, but they are asked to complete a Cottage Food/Low Risk Food assessment form. “People can identify or list their food items looking to be sold as a cottage food item on the form. We review that list and sign it indicating those foods are exempt from needing a regular food license,” he said. Certain baked goods, however, do not qualify under cottage food laws. “Baked goods that are shelf stable qualify as a cottage food,” Hemming explained. “If pastries or pies need refrigeration, then they will not qualify as a cottage food and will need to be licensed.” Approved items include muffins, cakes, brownies, cookies, tortillas, and basic breads like banana or pumpkin bread. Even tincture tonics like elderberry syrup are considered cottage items as long as the ingredients are legal and there are no medicinal claims made. Items that require refrigeration, such as cheesecakes, cream pies, and certain focaccia breads, are not permitted. Labeling is another key component of operating a cottage bakery. “Ingredients do not need to be listed on the packaging,” Hemming said. “However, a statement indicating the food was made in a home kitchen not subject to inspection is helpful, as well as allergen information.” Despite the surge in cottage bakeries, there is no regulation concerning maximum sales revenue for these businesses, providing additional flexibility for home bakers. For more information about cottage food regulations and best practices, contact Eastern Idaho Public Health at (208) 522-0310.The post Sweet success! Why local cottage bakeries are becoming increasingly popular appeared first on East Idaho News.
Source: eastidahonews.com