Baking Good Legislation
On August 27, Governor Pritzker signed into law the Home-to-Market Act. The Home-to-Market Act allows producers of home-based food products to sell their goods directly to customers. This new law goes into effect on January 1, 2022. This will foster the growth of home-based entrepreneurs, known as the cottage food businesses.
Prior to the passage of the Home-to-Market Act, cottage food producers were only allowed to sell their products at farmer's markets. They were prohibited from selling at fairs or festivals, and online. Compared to other states, Illinois has one of the most restrictive regulations governing the cottage food industry. This new act will open the door for a vast increase in sales and provide cottage producers the opportunity to start or grow their businesses. The Home-to-Market Act comes at the perfect time as many of these home-based food businesses and farms were hit hard by the pandemic. During the pandemic, many farmer's markets delayed their openings, leaving cottage food producers unable to sell their products. The new bill will especially benefit women-owned businesses, as 77% of cottage food businesses are owned by women.
The SBAC is a strong advocate for home-based businesses. Check out our most recent win regarding HBBs.
Logan Square Activation Ribbon Cutting
Thank you Logan Square Chamber of Commerce for having us! The SBAC and our Neighborhood Revitalization Coalition had the pleasure of attending the Solidary Triangle Plaza Activation hosted by the Logan Square Chamber of Commerce. We spoke with some of the great people of Logan Square about our goals to revitalize, empower and connect Cook…
REVITALIZATION IN THE NEWS: Hyde Park Farmers Market Opens Sunday!
The Hyde Park Farmers Market will return to the parking lot behind the Hyde Park Bank Building, 1525 E. 53rd St., this Sunday, June 5. The Hyde Park Farmers Market will return to the parking lot behind the Hyde Park Bank Building, 1525 E. 53rd St., this Sunday, June 5. The event is co-hosted…
Woodlawn Coffee Chat: A Community Conversation
A Woodlawn Chamber of Commerce event: Join Woodlawn Chamber for the Woodlawn Coffee Chat on Wednesday, June 1st at 6:00p to have a virtual conversation with local community organizations and elected officials about how research tools can be used to identify policy-relevant concerns and strengthen community practices. Supported by The Chicago Community Trust, The Joyce…
