Selling backyard honey as a CFO in LA?

[Maggie Haase]

Has anyone been through the process of getting certified as a Cottage Food Operator (CFO) in order to sell honey legally in Los Angeles County/City? There is a stipulation that you must “contact your local city/county planning department for approval.” Just wondering if it IS actually possible to get registered as a CFO through the county when the city says you can’t keep bees, and the county requires city approval before registration/certification.

Apologies if this has already been discussed. If it has, can someone point me in the right direction. Thanks!!!

• This topic was modified 9 years, 6 months ago by Maggie Haase.

[susan rudnicki]

I looked into the steps required to meet the registration, and decided the whole thing was WAY too much work. I sell my honey, ( even in a local market) and don’t conform to all the rigamarole. Honey does not need refrigeration or special packing so it is just a way to force licensing fees, in my opinion. My city (Manhattan Beach) is lenient towards beeks, having no regs about keeping, pro or con. I work with the city removing bees from danger and respond to citizen calls without incurring costs to the city government.

[Maggie Haase]

Thanks so much, Susan. That is helpful. I am also starting to sell, but tentative since I don’t know what the repercussions might be.

[Chelsea McFarland]

I did some digging just recently for another HoneyLover… and these look like the links you need to register/apply:
Class B Permit (allows you to sell at farmers’ markets): https://ehservices.publichealth.lacounty.gov/servlet/guest?service=0&formId=6&saveAction=5
Food Handler Training: http://www.statefoodsafety.com/food-handler/california/state-of-california

Seems pretty straightforward… but there is more information here:
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/misc/CAHomemadeFood.htm

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