Cooking Up Change: AFP’s Fight for Home Bakers in Oklahoma
For passionate home bakers like Doug Eckert, sharing your culinary creations with your community is the dre am. However, Oklahoma state law restricted where home bakers could sell, what they could sell, and imposed a $20,000 cap on profits generated. Restrictions like these devastated small businesses, limiting the opportunities for small bakeries to grow and make the jump to a commercial kitchen.
As a trusted voice in the community, Americans for Prosperity (AFP) mobilized its vast network of allies and successfully spearheaded the Homemade Food Freedom Act in 2020, a bill that removed the income cap and the burdensome regulations dictating where home bakers could sell. and gave bakers like Doug the freedom to build up their businesses and thrive. Thanks to AFP, today bakers in Oklahoma have the freedom to build their business without fear of breaking the law.
Doug Eckert Builds His Baking Business
For Mustang, Oklahoma resident Doug Eckert, baking was a way of paying tribute to his grandma. He remembers the intoxicating smell of chocolate, sugar, and butter that filled the air as he entered his grandma’s house after an hours-long trip in the car.
After her passing, Doug wanted to capture the warmth and love she brought to those around her, so he spent much of his time trying to recreate her chocolate chip cookie. His passion for baking was born, and in 2017, he opened his own cookie business to share delicious treats with his community.
At first, Doug sold a few batches of treats from his home and at local farmers markets. Soon, the demand for his cookies grew and his business took off. It wasn’t long until Doug hit the $20,000 cap on gross profits outlined in Oklahoma law. Suddenly, his ability to sell his baked goods and expand his business came to a screeching halt.
Moving into a commercial space was unattainable for Doug — he couldn’t afford the thousands of dollars required to obtain the 4+ permits needed to open a commercial kitchen in Oklahoma. He knew the only way to expand his business was to change the law, but he didn’t know where or how to start the process.
Americans for Prosperity Expands Opportunities for Home Bakers
AFP Oklahoma State Director John Tidwell was no stranger to the dire impact the state’s profit caps had on home bakers, and he was inspired by Doug’s story. Together, they started rallying small business owners and bakers across the state to flood legislators with calls and emails in support of expanding opportunities for home bakers.
AFP was instrumental in drafting legislation and educating lawmakers on the need for change. Witnessing AFP’s process and being walked through it step by step gave Doug the confidence to address lawmakers and share his story to demonstrate how the current law created barriers for small businesses.
In 2021, the Homemade Food Freedom Act was passed into law. The legislation increased the income gap from $20,000 to $75,000 and expanded where home bakers can sell their products, making the industry more attractive and affordable for people to pursue careers in baking. Now, home bakers like Doug can sell their products online without securing costly licenses or permits.
The Homemade Food Freedom Act makes it so Doug can obtain the financial means necessary to afford a commercial kitchen, supplies, lease payments, permitting. The bill now acts as a blueprint for states with similar regulations around the sale of food.
Drive positive change for small businesses in your community. Get in contact with AFP today!
