The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s Food Protection Program is hosting a series of public meetings throughout Idaho in April and May to discuss two important issues: cottage foods and proposed Idaho Food Code updates.

Cottage foods are foods that are typically produced in a person’s home and sold or given away directly to other people. The production of these foods is currently unregulated. The public meetings will help clarify the types of foods that are allowed to be unregulated. Community members also will have the opportunity to discuss whether the state Food Protection Program should promulgate rules specific to cottage food production. 

The Idaho Food Code is the set of regulations that govern food safety standards in food establishments in Idaho. The current regulations were enacted in 2005 and are being updated. Proposed updates will be presented during the meetings, public comment will be taken, and information regarding when updates would become effective will be provided.

All members of the public are encouraged to attend meetings in their area. Meetings are being held at multiple times each day to accommodate those interested in these topics. Each public meeting will be moderated by Patrick Guzzle, Idaho’s Food Protection Program Manager for the Idaho Division of Public Health. The same general content will be presented in each of the meetings held throughout the state.

For other information or for any questions, please contact Patrick Guzzle at (208) 334-5936.

The schedule for the public meetings is as follows:

Cottage Food Meetings

Coeur d’Alene Area Cottage Foods April 27
Best Western Plus – Hayden Room
506 Appleway Ave, Coeur d’Alene
Meeting 1: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Meeting 2: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Meeting 3: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Moscow Area Cottage Foods April 30
Troy Community Library – Community Room
402 S Main Street, Troy
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Potlatch Public Library – Community Room
1010 Onaway Road, Potlatch
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Moscow City Council Chambers
206 E 3rd Street, Moscow
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Treasure Valley Area Cottage Foods May 4
Southwest District Health
13307 Miami Lane, Caldwell
Meeting 1: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Meeting 2: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Meeting 3: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Magic Valley Area Cottage Foods May 6
La Quinta Inn
539 Pole Line Road, Twin Falls
Meeting 1: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Meeting 2: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Meeting 3: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Idaho Falls Area Cottage Foods May 11
Eastern Idaho Public Health
1250 Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls
Meeting 1: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Meeting 2: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Meeting 3: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Pocatello Area Cottage Foods May 13
Southeastern Idaho Public Health
Assembly Rooms 1 and 2
1901 Alvin Ricken Drive, Pocatello
Meeting 1: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Meeting 2: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Meeting 3: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Food Code Meetings
Coeur d’Alene Area Food Code April 28
Best Western Plus – Hayden Room
506 Appleway Ave, Coeur d’Alene
Meeting 1: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Meeting 2: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM

Moscow Area Food Code April 29
City Council Chambers
206 E 3rd Street, Moscow
Meeting 1: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Meeting 2: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Treasure Valley Area Food Code May 5
Southwest District Health
13307 Miami Lane, Caldwell
Meeting 1: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Meeting 2: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM

Magic Valley Area Food Code May 7
La Quinta Inn
539 Pole Line Road, Twin Falls
Meeting 1: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Meeting 2: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM

Idaho Falls Area Food Code May 12
Eastern Idaho Public Health District
1250 Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls
Meeting 1: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Meeting 2: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM

Pocatello Area Food Code May 14
Southeastern Idaho Public Health
Assembly Rooms 1 and 2
1901 Alvin Ricken Drive, Pocatello
Meeting 1: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Meeting 2: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM