Calling all FLORIDA home bakers - Lets get the law changed! - Page 16

I am in the Fort Lauderdale area, would like to help too! I'll keep watching this.

Exactly!

Wouldn't a kitchen that is separate from the living space and has a separate entrance still be considered as part of the private residence because it is in a residential zone? Wouldn't it have to be zoned commercially to be considered a commercial kitchen? Or does the zoning even matter? Not that I'm planning to do this; I was just curious.

It all depends on your community....Some people have been able to convert garages with separate entrances into cake shops...It all depends on where you live and who is doing the sign off.

Paul

Oh, okay; thanks for the clarification. I was confused because of some of the previous comments, which seemed to suggest that it is a given that anyone in the state of Florida can bake from home as long as they build a detached kitchen with a separate entrance (or convert an existing stand-alone building) on their property. But it seems to me that it isn't just about meeting code requirements; I would think you would also need to determine whether or not your local zoning laws permit buildings for commercial use in residential areas.

Oh well - here's hoping the law will soon be changed so that we won't have to worry about all this anymore!

I am working on getting this bill passed and had an interview with ABC Action News. It aired last weekend and here is what was said. I live in Largo and I am trying to get together with the Florida Bakers to put a plan together so we can get this bill passed. I have sent letters to almost all the state representatives and need for everyone to do the same. You can email them right from your computer. If you want more info on the letters than just PM me and I'll send them to you. See the article below.

Woman hopes state will enact Cottage Food Act to help Floridians that want to bake and sell items.


Largo - Many chefs get started right in their own kitchen.

However, in Florida, it is illegal to cook something at home and then try to sell it.

It is a law that has been really frustrating for Barbara Schmal, so she is trying to do something about it.

Schmal loves creating gorgeous cakes in her own kitchen.

"I just love doing the cake decorating part of it and trying out new recipes and new techniques," Schmal said.

The Largo woman has the tools and the training to create shells, lovely flowers, and creative cakes.

Schmal even has her own website: http://www.krazyaboutcake.com

However, state law makes it difficult for her to pursue her passion.

"The way Florida law reads, you cannot bake in the kitchen that has the living quarters nearby," Schmal said.

Because Schmal's oven is close to her couch, the state says she should find a commercial kitchen to cook. (If she wants to run a business.)

Not every state has that same policy.

Chef superstar, Paula Dean, got her start in Georgia. Dean would cook in her kitchen and her sons would deliver things like chocolate cookies to clients.

Dean quickly outgrew her own kitchen, and eventually landed on television.

Schmal has big dreams too, but just wishes a Cottage Food Act existed in Florida, so she could legally sell the cakes she loves to bake and decorate.

"This would really help a lot of people to make a second income or to supplement the income that they have," Schmal said.
Schmal says she realizes some are concerned about the cleanliness of home kitchens, but if the law changes, Schmal says the Health Department would be responsible for inspecting home kitchens that have proper licenses. Licenses and permits would also cost at home chefs money, which would help bring in money for the entire state.

Schmal recently wrote a number of letters to lawmakers, and some have passed the notes onto others, but because not a lot has happened, Schmal plans to be persistent.

"I'm the type of individual that if I'm going to do something, I'm going to do it," Schmal said. "If they're in the state of Florida, they're getting a letter! We want their help to help get this passed, because it would help a lot of the people in Florida."

GO Florida!!!!!
I wish we could do something here in Cali.