Continuing years of support for cottage food operators, AERO and the Montana Food and Consumer Safety Section (DPHHS) educated producers and registered sanitarians to mitigate legal food safety and production risks. Initially focused on the Montana Food Policy Modernization Law (MFPML), we adapted our project to address COVID safety and the new Montana Local Food Choice Act (SB199), passed in April 2021.
AERO conducted a series of workshops, produced video tutorials, developed resources, and facilitated a focus group to aid Montana cottage food operators and value-added producers in understanding changing food licensing, labeling, and inspection requirements. Workshops focused on reducing production risks and implementing COVID precautions. Legal liability workshops addressed mitigating legal risk under MFPML and SB199. Video tutorials offered training in marketing, managing financial risk, and registering as a cottage food operator. All tutorial recordings were uploaded to a searchable Online Resource Library. A working group of cottage food operators, registered sanitarians, and agency personnel reviewed the Cottage Food administrative rules and recommended changes to ensure consistent implementation of MFPML statewide. Finally, AERO interviewed stakeholders on future risk management education strategies given the new regulatory framework to support producers in diversifying revenue, while minimizing legal and financial risk.