State Rep. Michele Reneau
The General Assembly has approved legislation to allow the sale of homemade food items including poultry and dairy in the Volunteer State.
House Bill 130, sponsored by State Rep. Michele Reneau, expands Tennessee’s food cottage law to allow farmers, small producers and emerging entrepreneurs to sell homemade goods from their poultry and dairy.
“This legislation expands opportunities to keep food local and strengthens small businesses across the Volunteer State,” Rep.
Reneau said. “I’m proud to pass my first bill, especially one that supports so many farmers and small business owners.”
The General Assembly passed the Food Freedom Act in 2022 allowing homemade food businesses to sell their food products directly to consumers within the state. Current law allows items like bread, candies, honey, jams and pastries to be sold.
House Bill 130 allows the sale of poultry and pasteurized dairy in food items. It does not allow the sale of unpasteurized milk, alcoholic beverages, fish, shellfish products, meat, meat-by-products or meat food products.
The bill now heads to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk for his signature and it will go into effect on July 1.