New bill could help small business farmers sell directly to consumers

Posted on March 5, 2021
Kelly Lay told WJBC’s Marc Strauss the bill is receiving support from small towns across the state. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – Small business farmers across the state could soon sell directly to consumers instead of only farmers’ markets under a new Act.

According to Kelly Lay, owner of D20 Pepper Products in LeRoy, the ‘Home to Market Act’ could allow small business farmers more opportunities.

“The Home to Market Act really says, ‘hey, we’ve got all these people, especially with COVID, and people home and baking, and I don’t know about you, but I’ve seen some fabulous bread coming out of peoples kitchens.’ But, these are small businesses that just need a chance to thrive.”

Currently, farmers who produce homemade products can only sell at a farmer’s market. However, Lay, who grows 55 different peppers, said the new Act would allow small businesses the chance to sell directly to consumers.

“If you say ‘I want to sell a hot sauce over Facebook directly to you,’ that would be legal,” Lay told WJBC’s Marc Strauss. “I could go to local fairs and festivals, I could go to the Farmers Market still, or if I just want to invite my friends over and sell them something out of my kitchen as long as it follows the rules, which also got clarified in the ‘Home to Market Act,’ that’s perfectly legal.”

Lay, who is in her second-year of producing peppers, said the bill is sponsored by State Rep. Will Guzzardi of the 39th District.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected]. 

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