FLORIDA — Aspiring home chefs across Florida looking to sell cheesecake or other culinary creations face a challenging prospect due to Florida’s strict food safety laws.
Cheesecake, for example, is a popular dessert but cannot be made from home under Florida’s Cottage Food Law, according to Dr Stephanie Brown of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), where she is the newly appointed Extension statewide specialized agent in food science.
“People love cheesecake, but it doesn’t meet Florida’s Cottage Food Law. You can’t make it from your home,” explained Dr Brown.
“If you have to refrigerate the product, you can’t make it there. So, I’ll say, ‘let me give you names of places where you can make cheesecake and still be compliant with state rules.’”
While cheesecake is just one of the many restricted items, many other food entrepreneurs want to know what they can legally create and sell from their home kitchens.
The Cottage Food Law, which has seen growing interest, especially during the pandemic, allows for certain homemade products to be sold without requiring a licensed kitchen. However, understanding what falls under this law can be complex.
Dr Brown, with her extensive expertise, helps answer a wide range of questions that food entrepreneurs often face, including:
“Can I make this food in my home kitchen?”
“Where can I safely prepare food to sell?”
“Can I change my product to better appeal to customers?”
To assist home-based chefs and other food entrepreneurs, Brown offers her services across Florida.
Twice a month, she holds open office hours at the UF/IFAS Extension Collier County office, located at 14700 Immokalee Road, Naples.
In addition, Dr Brown is available for virtual consultations, making her expertise accessible statewide, including those looking to sell at farmer’s markets or start small food businesses.
“These office hours are a great way to meet food entrepreneurs of all types across the state and better understand the needs of this community while continuing to serve the regional community,” said Brown.
Her goal is to help individuals understand the legal pathways for selling food and how to utilize shared kitchens or alternative spaces if necessary.
“We’re trying to help people understand you can do certain things, but maybe not at home,” said Dr Brown.
“But if you cannot do it at home, you can make that food item in a shared kitchen or other space.”
Food entrepreneurs interested in connecting with Brown can visit her during in-person office hours or schedule an online appointment by contacting her via email at stephaniebrown@ufl.edu.
Detailed information regarding her office hours can be found on the UF/IFAS Extension Collier County online calendar. Dr. Brown will announce new dates for her winter/spring 2025 office hours in the coming weeks.
