Get to Know the New “Cottage Food” Law in Texas

Texas Legislature passed SB 541 and Texas Govenor signed it into law last month.

This law massively expands opportunities for small farmers and individuals to make and sell home-produced foods. The new law, effective September 1, will allow Texans to sell almost any kind of food they make in their home kitchen directly to consumers within our state. This includes all kinds of temperature-sensitive foods, like cheesecakes, vegetarian casseroles, cut fruits and vegetables, frozen produce, and more. The only exceptions are meat, poultry, seafood, low-acid canned goods, THC/CBD products, raw milk products, and ices/frozen desserts.

The new law will also allow the sale of non-refrigerated homemade foods through third-party vendors for the first time. So those homemade baked goods, jams, pickles, dried spices and herbs, and more can be sold through local co-ops, niche grocers, and cafes!!

SB 541 also makes numerous other smaller positive changes. This new law opens up significant opportunities for farmers and small food businesses across our state working to rebuild local food systems! Be ready when it takes effect on September 1.

This is the biggest expansion of the cottage food law we’ve ever had, and it puts Texas back at the forefront of the Food Freedom movement.

Join Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance (FARFA) Executive Director Judith McGeary as she digs into the recent changes to the Texas Cottage Food Law, how you can take advantage of the new opportunities, and get answers to your questions LIVE!