-
Another Taste of Our Youth
“As single, male senior citizen, my home cooking abilities are severely limited. Something like this would help me get the homemade things that I remember so much from many years ago. It’s time we took the over-cautious mindset out of things and remembered that my generation drank water from a hose, shared drinks, rode in the back of pick-ups, never heard of seat belts and ate from trucks driving down the street. And by golly, we survived! Let us old-timers have another taste of our youth.” – Jim Lasch, 70 year-old retired veteran from Kentucky
-
High Barrier To Entry, Even As A Farmer – Emily’s Baking Story
Today we feature the story of a farmer. This is Emily’s story in her own words. “Dear Kentucky State Lawmakers, I am Two Sisters Fudge, a small entity that followed all the rules for a few dollars per pound in profit. I am Kentucky Proud and yet that doesn’t describe my story. I wanted a way for my girls to earn money for college so we started making fudge. We searched the area for a commercial kitchen. Our only options were $250 per month in Louisville – a 30 minute commute or a small ill equipped ancient community kitchen in LaGrange, we were still paying for. We couldn’t use the…
-
Stifled Dreams, Laura’s Baking Story
States with supportive cottage food laws provide simple and inexpensive ways for skilled people to begin safe and profitable businesses from home — businesses that can become sustainable jobs. Arguably, Kentucky’s lack of a cottage food law mostly affects women — ones who can and bake, but who might otherwise lack employment, garden space, access to commercial kitchens or capital.- RACHEL HURD ANGER, LEO Weekly Today we feature a story that yet again, shows how Kentucky puts the dreams of women on hold. Not every person can start out in a commercial kitchen, or a storefront. Some people don’t need or want that. They want to sell a few cakes, cookies,…
-
Rural American Dreams, Beth’s Baking Story
Today we feature the story of a baker from a rural Kentucky community. This is Beth’s story in her own words. “My name is Beth and I’m only twenty-three years old. I was born and raised in Henry County, Kentucky. I’m new to home baking because I’ve been baking for less than 2 years. However, I have never found something that fills my heart and let’s my mind wonder quite like being in the kitchen behind a pastry bag. It all started about 4 years ago, at my previous job. I was lucky enough to start decorating ice cream cakes at the local Dairy Queen. Eventually with the limited restrictions…
-
From Pride and Joy, To Broken Dreams – Mary’s Baking Story
Today we feature the story of a home baker who built up a home baking business in Michigan. Unfortunately, when she moved, she found out about Kentucky’s restrictive cottage food law. This is Mary’s story in her own words. “Several years ago, on a whim I decided to take a Wilton course, which led to another, and another. Then, I became a Wilton Instructor. It was great! I loved helping people learn to decorate because I, myself LOVED decorating. It wasn’t long afterward that I heard our governor at the time, Jennifer Granholm, signed the Michigan Cottage Food Law. After that, there was no stopping me. I filled out the…
-
Custom Cookies, Family Tradition – Joanna’s Baking Story
Today we feature a baker who’s story sounds all too familiar for home baker’s who have attempted starting small home based businesses in the state of Kentucky. This is Joanna’s story in her own words. “Families have traditions. Every Christmas my mom baked and iced cookies that she used to decorate our tree and that she gave friends and family as gifts. She used a butter knife to spread icing on them. They weren’t fancy but they tasted amazing and everyone looked forward to Kathy’s Christmas cookies. She got the recipe from the mother of her best friend in college, now more than 50 years ago. When I got married…
-
The Right To Be ‘Kentucky Proud’, Katie’s Baking Story
Today we feature the story of a home baker from Lexington, Kentucky. This is Katie’s baking story in her own words. “I started making sugar cookies in January of 2014, because everyone said “you need to start a cookie business!” I already had my KY ID and Federal ID because I paint furniture and other commissioned artwork. I thought why not add cookies to the different mediums I work with? I had gotten this wild idea I would make cookies for my youngest daughter, who cheered on the all-girl team for the University of Alabama. Since it was the first time that the team had been to the college nationals…
-
An Update About Our Meeting. What Can You Do To Help?
Today we had a private meeting with Representative Heath and a consultant from the Kentucky Health Department’s Food Safety Branch. We talked about ways we can work together to see a cottage food law for home bakers who are not farmers. Overall it was a great meeting. It will take some time to get any type of law passed. We are just in the beginning stages of talks and how we can all work together to come up with a bill. We want a bill that not only allows home bakers, but a bill that also keeps the public safe. We are asking to follow the rules, and to be…
-
Home Bakers Are Just Asking To Be In The Game
With anything in life, there are going to be people who oppose you. With this particular topic the majority of people who oppose home bakers are business owners themselves. As you’ve read, they call and alert health departments as “concerned citizens” and for some reason seem to be scared of the competition that home baking might bring along with it. They are also upset because they are either in debt from loans, or because they followed the law and found a commercial kitchen. They think we are taking the easy road. As with any law out there you will always have people not following it. A change to the current…
-
Cut The Red Tape, An Anonymous Baker’s Story
Today we feature the personal story of a stay-at-home mom who loved to bake. This is her story in her own words. She has chosen to remain anonymous. “I was a stay-at-home mom for years and home-schooled my three sons. During that time, I sold baked goods and candy from my home to supplement our income. I really enjoyed baking for others – and especially being able to earn an income from it. Baking could be done in the evenings after school or even during the night, in the comfort of my own home, with my children there with me. There were no childcare costs, additional work-wear costs, or other…
