Government Shouldn’t Stand between People and Homemade Food

Arizona is abandoning restrictions on cottage food that tend to harm lower-income, independent sellers. But other states haven’t relented.

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A woman making corn tamales

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Some people sell homemade food as a hobby. Others need the revenue for survival. Fifth-generation farmer Gina Irons says many of her neighbors in Apache County, Ariz., use income from their kitchens to cover basic expenses.

“Jobs can be scarce here,” she says. “It is kind of desperate, so many of our residents here rely on home businesses to support their families, and food products are an essential and important output.”

PA

About the Author

Paul Avelar

Paul Avelar is managing attorney of the Arizona office for the Institute for Justice

DJ

About the Author

Daryl James

Daryl James is a writer at the Institute for Justice in Arlington, Va.

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