- An Alliance For Community Action
- (970) 256-7650
- info@WesternColoradoAlliance.org
Taking advantage of the Cottage Foods Act
Thanks to the passionate and steadfast work of Western Colorado Alliance members like Monica Wiitanen at Small Potatoes Farm, the Colorado Cottage Food Act has enabled food producers throughout the state to make a living from their home kitchen. Read more in this recent feature article from 5280.com about Monica’s story and other Cottage Food entrepreneurs making an impact in their communities.
Our Alliance championed the bill which established the Cottage Foods Act, along with our primary sponsor, then-Senator Gail Schwartz, in 2012. The law ensures that farmers and home producers have safe and fair opportunities to sell their produce and homemade foods. In 2015, we passed a follow-up bill to include products like pickles and salsa so small producers have more ways to market their fruit and vegetable crops.
Our Alliance is committed to a vision of Homegrown Prosperity where the Western Slope is home to diverse and resilient local economies that work for all of us.
After working for our Alliance for 32 years, Brenda retired in 2018 and took a two-year hiatus before rejoining the fold as a board member. She is a treasure trove of little known facts about the organization after managing everything from the membership database to our communications. Her other interests include dabbling in a number of artforms, hiking, botany (her college major), t'ai chi and chi gung, and swing dancing. With roots in western Washington state, she has lived in Montrose with her husband Kevin since 1984.