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Meeting Public Comments

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HF 2431
A bill for an act relating to the regulation of home-based businesses, including food establishments and home food processing establishments, and providing civil penalties. (Formerly HF 2005.) Effective date: 07/01/2022.
Agenda
Subcommittee members: Schultz-CH, Bisignano, Johnson
Date: Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Time: 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
Location: Room G15
Comments Submitted:
The purpose of comments is to provide information to members of the subcommittee.
Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.

03-15-2022
Cheryl Wieseler [Cluck Ewe Farm and Bakery]
I am writing in support of HF 2431. As the owner of a licensed home based bakery business in Iowa, I have been frustrated by limitations that are currently in place regarding what I can sell. I have had to turn down requests and opportunities because those requests would not have been allowed under my current licensing. This bill would expand opportunities for small business owners and increase fairness when it comes to earning potential. Thank you for your time.
03-15-2022
Stacie Heuss [Heuss Creations]
Thank you for taking the time to hear my testimony on the HF2431 Bill as it relates to home based businesses. I am a successful home based business and have also partnered with two local bakeries in my area to provide bagels, pastries etc. I am well know in our area for my bagels but with the restrictions of the current home bakery laws I am not allowed to sell cream cheese spreads to pair with them as they are not a baked item. Due to the perishable guidelines, I am not allowed to sell custards, chocolate etc and these are items that accent a pastry or are highly requested by my customers. With the new HF 2431 Bill this will allow me to provide items and services to my clients and meet the demands in my area. Also with the income cap currently set at $35,000 this limits how many wholesale markets I can participate in as well as how many custom orders I can take within a given year. With the increase to $50,000 this will allow me the availability to partner with additional wholesale markets and/or customers who place custom orders. Holidays are great for business but you have to schedule accordingly so as not to go over the $35000.00 minimum. With Covid impacting business and storefronts having to close business due to staffing issues, less customer traffic and supply shortages it makes sense to increase the threshold to $50000.00 to allow home bakers to still provide a service without the additional costs of a storefront. I agree that safety is a concern as we look to make changes to the current bill however with the proper inspections, licensing and maintaining the proper food safety requirements I feel this could be a successful venture for home based bakeries. Thank you for your time and consideration. jStacie/Heuss Creations