Plans from state Rep. Greg Alexander making practical updates for residents who operate their own businesses by selling certain food products were advanced by the Michigan House this week.

The state’s Cottage Food Law allows people to sell products made in their kitchens or at their homes without obtaining a state food license if they are selling less than $25,000 in products per year. This only applies to foods with minimal risks to safety, meaning that the items are not potentially hazardous and do not need a controlled temperature. These foods include jams, jellies, candy, granola, baked goods and others, and they must still comply with labeling standards and other provisions both within state and federal law before being sold to the public.

Currently, state law requires in-person delivery for cottage food sales or a direct sale to customers at farmers markets or roadside stands. Alexander’s plan, House Bill 4122, allows sellers to ship products to meet online and mail orders or engage in third-party delivery. It also increases the revenue cap from the current $25,000 to $50,000. If the cottage food operation sells cottage food products at a price of $250 or more per unit, the annual cap would be $75,000. The legislation includes an annual Consumer Price Index adjustment after January 1, 2026.

“Our state’s Cottage Food Law has shown to be successful since it was first signed in 2010, but we have fallen behind other states and need to modernize where we can,” said Alexander, who serves on the House Agriculture Committee. “This is a pivotal source of income for many people in our state and we shouldn’t be burdening them with red tape. More and more people are ordering things online, including food products. This ability will ensure entrepreneurs across our region won’t see a hit in revenue due to rigid, outdated mandates that are keeping them from marketing their products.”

Another advancing bill Alexander has sponsored, HB 4245, increases the number of honey and maple syrup producers in Michigan who can operate their business without having to pay license fees. The bill aligns licensing benchmarks for these products with cottage foods since honey and maple syrup do not fall into the category. Currently, both retail outlets and processing facilities for honey and maple syrup are exempt from licensure as long as gross sales are $15,001 or less annually. Alexander’s measure would increase the cap to $25,000, which is the same threshold as the exemption under the state’s Cottage Food Law.

The bills now move to the Senate for consideration.