MIFMA advocates for policies that place community-driven marketplaces at the forefront of the local food movement to increase the awareness and consumption of the state’s diverse agricultural products and ensure equitable access to fresh, nutritious, local foods.
House Bill 4122 and Senate Bill 93 were signed into law! These two bills represent major victories for the Michigan local food system and the culmination of several years of advocacy from MIFMA, our members, and our partners.
Learn more about these exciting news here.
Since 2010, the Cottage Food Law in Michigan has allowed producers to make non-potentially hazardous food items in their home kitchen, not licensed by the State of Michigan, and sell them directly to consumers. A decade later, changes in the retail environment and lessons learned call for changes to be made to this bill. House Bill 4122 and Senate Bill 93 propose expanding the law to allow online sales, increasing the gross sales cap, and creating a voluntary registration system to protect producer’s privacy.
Cottage food items are specific products created in a home kitchen that can be sold directly from the producer to consumers. Products must meet certain criteria, such as specific product eligibility and labeling requirements.
You can find Cottage Food businesses at many Michigan farmers markets, offering items like baked goods, spice blends, and fruit jams. If you joined us at Farmers Market at the Capitol, you may have shopped with one and enjoyed their products!
MIFMA was established in 2006 as a statewide association to promote local food consumption in Michigan by connecting more farmers to consumers through farmers markets. The number of farmers markets in Michigan has grown from around 90 in 2001 to 300 in 2025.
MIFMA places equity at the forefront of supporting the viability of community-driven marketplaces so that they can connect ALL consumers to local farms and businesses.
This committee guides MIFMA’s involvement in food and farming policy efforts and works in coalition with our membership and partner organizations to impact policy work at both the state and national levels. This work is centered around priorities voted on by our membership. Meets the first Wednesday of each month at 11:00 a.m. EST by video conference.
To join, email office@mifma.org with the subject line “Advocacy Committee”.
Advocacy efforts include identifying and building bill champions and following the bills through the legislative process.
Your contribution is needed to support market managers in establishing, maintaining, and growing thriving farmers markets—vital community resources that serve your neighbors, local farmers and businesses, and you. Learn more about ways to give!