SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) is pushing legislation that would make farmers' markets and other community events more accessible to individual members of the community—not just large businesses with commercial kitchens.

"To me, the whole point of something like a farmers' market is to give people a chance to buy locally produced products," Koehler said. "If this law passes, it opens the door for more people to participate and sell things like homemade pies and cookies."

Senate Bill 840 allows individuals to sell non-hazardous foods made in their home kitchens at farmers' markets and other community events as long as they meet some basic food-safety requirements. Non-hazardous food products are defined by the federal government and primarily include baked goods, candy, natural jellies, and certain other sauces and spice mixtures. Prohibited items include home-made meat products, homemade dairy products, anything involving raw sprouts or melon, and anything that must be kept heated or cooled.

The bill also requires all products to be accompanied by appropriate labels that list all ingredients and warn that the product was homemade and not inspected by any state or local food safety agency. Anyone who wants to sell homemade products must have a Food Service Sanitation Management Certificate, and the Department of Public Health can order individuals to stop selling products if it has evidence indicating that they are not safe.

"It's important to give more people an opportunity to sell their homemade foods, but it's also important to protect the public safety," Koehler said. "I think these new standards strike an appropriate balance between an open market and safety."

The bill has passed the Illinois Senate and now heads to the House.

"I think this legislation is good for members of our communities," Koehler added. "It will allow local farmers to make a little extra money by selling home-made pies and cookies as well as fruits and vegetables. It will also allow entrepreneurs who can't afford to invest in a commercial kitchen to get their foot in the door and could lead to new businesses. It's a good step forward for individual freedoms."