- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
A little more than a year ago, a California law went into effect that gave small farmers and even home gardeners a new opportunity to sell value-added products. The California Homemade Food Act permits individuals to produce certain foods in home kitchens to sell in limited quantities to the public.
That sounds simple, but like most laws, there are plenty of caveats. The legislation has stipulations about the types of foods allowable, registration, permits and labeling requirements. UC Cooperative Extension has been helping farmers and home gardeners who produce fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs, and honey take advantage of the new opportunity at workshops...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
Much has been made recently of the X Prize, a multi-million dollar award for specific inventions that benefit humanity. Currently, scientists are competing to build a commercially viable 100-mpg car and to land a moon rover that will send high-resolution photos back to earth.
Two hundred years ago, during the French Revolution, scientists were challenged in a similar way to invent a cheap and effective method of preserving large amounts of food. Canning was born. Preserving food by processing and sealing in an airtight container is a time-tested invention that has made safe, healthful food available to humanity year round - in commercially canned products and in the tradition of home canning.
The latter...