Do you have a passion for cooking and interested in making some extra money? You’re in luck if you’re living in California.

The California’s Microenterprise Homemade Food Law went into effect on January 1, 2019. This means Californians are allowed to make food in the privacy of your home kitchens and sell them directly to only consumers, not to any wholesaler or retailer.

This legislation is also known as AB 626. This law is being regulated at the city and county health departmental levels. The new law allows these local health departments to decide for themselves whether or not to opt in. Permits, licenses and inspections will be evaluated and approved by the city and county health departments.

There is no greater time than now for these budding entrepreneurs to start up your food business by skipping the risky and expensive step of leasing out a commercial kitchen in order to sell your food. Operating a microenterprise home kitchen is estimated at $800 a year, which includes permitting, inspection, and simple insurance coverage.

Of course, you must always keep in mind using your home kitchen for any food business takes commitment in order to comply with the requirements set forth by your local health departments.

Simply put, these are the basic requirements to start your microenterprise home kitchen business:

1. Anyone interested in operating a home-based food business will have to apply for a permit from your local health departments.
2. Microenterprise home kitchens are limited to $50,000 in verifiable gross annual sales and 60 individual meals per week.
3. The new law allows you to hire only one paid full-time employee.
4. The food you prepare must be cooked and served on the same day and can only be sold directly to your customers. Indirect sales are prohibited, such as through a wholesaler, retailer, or delivery company/app. Food must be picked up by the customers or it can be delivered within a safe time period due to health concerns.

Now passionate cooks who wish to prepare and sell your food from your home kitchens can do so legally following the steps above. All food sanitation, preparation and storage are always a great concern. So make sure you follow the health guidelines set forth from your local health departments.

Contact Zero Six Media if you need help promoting your home business. We can help create an online presence for your business, from branding, social media to website. From the success of your great food sales and marketing, we can definitely help grow your home business and take it to the next level, opening up your own restaurant!