CF-INDUSTRY PERMITTEE-MEMBERS TOOLKIT

Building Collective Power for Washington’s Cottage Food Industry

Cottage Food Coalition Committee

“Collectivize your voice” by joining with other Cottage Food permittees across Washington State.

By participating, you will:

• Strategize with hundreds of WSDA-permitted producers to develop coordinated, public-facing approaches that address arbitrary laws and regulations creating barriers to Cottage Food business success.
   
• Help shape statewide advocacy priorities by pooling experiences and identifying shared challenges and solutions.
   
• Strengthen collective influence through coordinated letters to policymakers and media, agency petitions, and joint meetings with local, county, and state decision-makers — including Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) officials.
   
• Participate in upcoming industry events, including:
   
  • The 1st Annual WHFPA “Cottage Food Is Good Food!” Trade Show & Industry Conference (planned for 2027)
     
  • The “Raise Your Forks, Washington!” Bake-Off fundraiser
     
• Learn how to establish local “Cottage Food Marketplace” pop-up events, co-market your products, and benefit from shared promotion with other permittees.
   
• Gain access to WSDA policy interpretations through WHFPA’s newsletter, including answers to questions submitted by members about WAC rules and enforcement consistency.
   

WHFPA provides guidance and coaching on effective, respectful advocacy.

• Reach out to your state representative and senator to share your experiences as a Cottage Food producer.
   
• Tip: Personal stories resonate. Talk about:
   
  • Increased (or limited) food choice in your community
     
  • Access to fresh bakery products without preservatives
     
  • Cultural or dietary benefits of local, home-produced foods
     
• Coordinate with others in your district to encourage legislators to draft or sponsor legislation supporting Cottage Food interests, such as:
   
  • Updating the sales cap
     
  • Expanding allowable products
     
  • Adjusting labeling rules
     
  • Allowing shipping
     

• As a WHFPA member, you can receive alerts when WSDA or other agencies open rulemakings or public comment periods.
   
• Submitting public comments allows you to formally explain what changes you support and why.
   
• This is a critical pathway to:
   
  • Reduce vague or shifting regulatory interpretations
     
  • Protect business planning and investment consistency
     
  • Ensure rules remain stable across political administrations
     

• The Food Policy Forum is a statutory, cross-sector body tasked with improving Washington’s food system.
   
• Despite Cottage Food producers being part of the food economy for over a decade, the industry has not yet been meaningfully represented.
   
• WHFPA’s goal is to secure a seat for Cottage Food producers at this table.
   
• While Forum members are political appointees, the Forum actively seeks stakeholder input through meetings, agendas, summaries, and listening sessions.
   
• Members can request inclusion on mailing lists, submit feedback, and express interest in future participation.
   

• Many counties and cities have food policy councils or grassroots food system groups.
   
• These networks amplify producer and consumer voices by aggregating concerns and presenting joint recommendations to policymakers.
   

WHFPA aims to partner with organizations aligned with Cottage Food values, such as:

• Small business and home-based business advocacy groups
   
• Food freedom and economic liberty organizations (e.g., Institute for Justice)
   
• Local food and sustainable agriculture nonprofits (e.g., Washington Tilth Association)
   

These partnerships can help elevate Cottage Food issues within broader policy campaigns.

• Attend WSDA listening sessions, surveys, and forums.
   
• Monitor legislative committee hearings on food and small business bills.
   
• Provide verbal or written testimony when relevant.
   

• City councils, county boards, and zoning authorities can significantly impact Cottage Food businesses through home-occupation and zoning rules.
   
• With over 300 local jurisdictions in Washington, rules vary widely.
   
• WHFPA members can:
   
  • Help you identify applicable zoning ordinances
     
  • Discuss strategies for requesting agenda time or submitting public comments
     
  • Support advocacy for local rule changes
     
• WHFPA is developing a local-jurisdiction scoring system ranking communities from most to least supportive of Cottage Food businesses.
   

• Submit op-eds or letters to the editor highlighting how Cottage Food:
   
  • Expands consumer choice
     
  • Supports dietary and cultural needs
     
  • Strengthens local economies
     

• Share your story as a Cottage Food permittee.
   
• Highlight:
   
  • Freshness and preservative-free products
     
  • Kitchen cleanliness and professionalism
     
  • Food security impacts and community benefits
     
• Tag local legislators and policy leaders to raise visibility and build public support.
   
• Showcase how Cottage Food businesses can create income opportunities for community members through home-based entrepreneurship.