“People Who Love To Eat
Are Always The Best People”
-Julia Child-
Cottage Food Operation - CFO
Welcome to our website dedicated to your local CFO Artisans. CFO Artisans offer delicious home-style goods created in their own home kitchens. Laws in place dictate that CFO Artisans meet state and/or local health department requirements for creating and baking non-potentially hazardous foods.
Just like a commercial brick and mortar business or caterer, CFOs must have the proper training in food safety and handling; have a specific kitchen layout for handwashing, food washing, food stroage, and food preparation; have appropriate licenses; and are subject to inspection by their local health departments. Essentially CFOs must meet the same requirements as the brick and mortar bakeries or restaurants in and around your community.
CFOs spcialize in non-potentially hazardous foods such as cakes, cookies, jams, confections, and more (see the article link below).
Non-potentially hazardous foods are those which are not time-termperature sensitive spefific refrigeration guidelines.
Non-potentially hazardous foods have a low water activity and low pH level that inhibit the growth of dangerous microorganisms. These are non-perishable foods that would not normally be kept in the refrigerator. Foods that are perishable, such as cheesecakes, custard fillings, or meringue pies are not covered in the CFO laws as they are examples of potentially hazardous foods (time-temperature sensitive). However, the laws are being updated and refined to accomodate customer demand and CFO capabilities.
Potentially hazardous foods http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/sf/mbnsdsfsp012008.asp
Each state* has its own list of SFO approved foods. Following is a typcial list of approved CFO Foods...
(1) Baked goods, without cream, custard, or meat fillings, such as breads, biscuits, churros, cookies, pastries, and tortillas.
(2) Candy, such as brittle and toffee.
(3) Chocolate-covered nonperishable foods, such as nuts and dried fruits.
(4) Dried fruit.
(5) Dried pasta.
(6) Dry baking mixes.
(7) Fruit pies, fruit empanadas, and fruit tamales.
(8) Granola, cereals, and trail mixes.
(9) Herb blends and dried mole paste.
(10) Honey and sweet sorghum syrup.
(11) Jams, jellies, preserves, and fruit butter that comply with the standard described in Part 150 of Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(12) Nut mixes and nut butters.
(13) Popcorn.
(14) Vinegar and mustard.
(15) Roasted coffee and dried tea.
(16) Waffle cones and pizzelles.
(17) Cotton candy.
(18) Candied apples.
(19) Confections such as salted caramel, fudge, marshmallow bars, chocolate covered marshmallow, nuts, and hard candy, or any combination thereof.
(20) Buttercream frosting, buttercream icing, buttercream fondant, and gum paste that do not contain eggs, cream, or cream cheese.
(21) Dried or Dehydrated vegetables.
(22) Dried vegetarian-based soup mixes.
(23) Vegetable and potato chips.
(24) Ground chocolate.
(25) Seasoning salt.
(26) Flat icing.
(27) Marshmallows that do not contain eggs.
(28) Popcorn balls.
(29) Dried grain mixes.
(30) Fried or baked donuts and waffles.
*Check your state CFO laws and requirements for a more state-specific details and up to date lists of approved CFO foods.