Hello, all!
I am so happy to have found this site, from the state of Illinois! I am a mom of 3 daughters with my youngest in high school. As two of our girls are out of the house, I have a lot more time. Many, many moons ago I studied hotel/restaurant management, as well as was a certified wedding/event planner and designer and sold cakes out of my home when the girls were toddlers. Yet, to me, I have always had a passion for, and always baked, cookies and decorated some over holidays and for special events. However, the fancy decorating was put on hold while they were younger and we did the messy (but such fond memories) decorating with the kids doing most of it.
Fast forward, I need something to do for me, and would love to do cookie decorating and bring in some income which we can also use.
Researching the Cottage Food Laws in Illinois has been challenging. I found Illinois only allows selling at farmers markets until a year ago, where they now have a home baked goods ordinance in addition to my own county, allowing me to sell $1,000 a month. Not a lot. But what I am coming up against is confusing. Speaking to health department and the city they are telling me conflicting pieces of information. Am I ok if the health department confirms an amendment was done for my county or do I need to also follow the city. They both admitted it was very confusing for them as well - sigh.
Right now I am happy to just sell a little to bring in a little income and improve my decorating skills, although not sure what to do with all the baked goods I practice with - haha! Any tips you have are greatly appreciated!
Looking forward to reading more on this site!
Wendy
Yorkville, Illinois