East Central Reporter

State Representative Blaine Wilhour’s (R-Beecher City) legislation (SB 2617) has been signed by the Governor and becomes law in Illinois. This change is significant for local farmers market vendors who are food handlers required to obtain certification from the local health department.

“A constituent with a home-based food business in my district brought to my attention that there are some counties that do not have a local health department and some that do but the local health department doesn’t offer a license, creating a roadblock for people who want to provide safe and legal sales of their food products,” explained Wilhour. “My new law simply requires that the counties that don’t offer this license enter into an agreement with another county that does. It breaks down this barrier to farmers markets and allows cottage food operators to register with a neighboring county health department that has the power to also handle inspections, complaints, fees, and penalties in that vendor’s county.”

Cottage food operations are home-based food businesses conducted by a person who produces food or drink in a kitchen located in that person’s primary domestic residence or another appropriately designed kitchen on a farm. These local producers have a positive impact on the local economy.

Illinois is home to over 300 farmers markets, fostering a sense of community while giving consumers direct access to locally grown food. With recent issues with supply chains, farmers markets have been able to serve as a critical connectivity point for farmers, allowing them different venues to sell their products directly to schools, hospitals, and even food banks.