How do you start selling eggs in Illinois?

[lalyswishytail]

I live in the Chicago area and would like to start selling eggs from a local farmstand. Does anyone know how to get a license or a list of regulations to follow? Thanks!

 

[PortageGirl]

ok... I've got a starting place, but it's very confusing. I'm looking cause I love digging out this sort of thing, but if you want to start poking through it too, here you go.

http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/008/00800065sections.html

IF and I say IF you need a licence, since I'm guessing you have under 3,000 birds, it is a 'limited' license and only costs $15.oo a year. BUT so far, I 'THINK' and that's an early and uneducated think, that if you sell from the premises where the hens are located, you don't even need that... BUT I'm still poking around.

I tell you, criticize Ohio all you want, but their law is VERY clear, home stands are exempt from all that jaz!!

anyway, like I said, I'm lookin'

 

[PortageGirl]

this is what gives me hope that you don't need much...

"Eggs sold at retail" – It shall be considered that shell eggs are being sold at retail when they are offered for sale or sold to a consumer off the premises where the flock is maintained.

http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/008/008000650000100R.html

 

[PortageGirl]

ftp://www.ilga.gov/ILCS/Ch%200410/Act%200615/041006150K6.html

OK, as long as your selling ON the premises where the chickies are... you're ok according to this.

at a farmers market etc, it looks like they need to be candled/graded/packed/marked and all that jazz

ftp://www.ilga.gov/ILCS/Ch%200410/Act%200615/041006150K7.html (related)

YAY... from home it LOOKS like you are exempt from needing a license.. LOOKIE >> ftp://www.ilga.gov/ILCS/Ch 0410/Act 0615/041006150K8.html

 

[lalyswishytail]

Wow! You are great! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I've been getting the run around with phone numbers in the Illinois Department of Agriculture and I was terrified to even begin checking out the puzzle palace that would be their web site. Thanks again!

 

[PortageGirl]

Well, I'm NOT a lawyer, and I'm not in charge of ANYTHING, possibly it'd be a good idea print out all that, and have them on hand, and/or, call around some more confirming.

[edit] and you're very welcome. I like digging up data, it's one of the things I'm pretty good at.

 

[windycityhen]

They now have a clearer brochure

http://www.agr.state.il.us/programs/consumer/egg/sellingeggs.pdf

 

[EweSheep]

Thanks!

 

[Pixie]

Don't shoot me for resurrecting an old thread, but I found this link to selling your eggs in Illinois (and other produce).

I just thought I would post it here for others who need the Illinois info too.

http://jhawkins54.typepad.com/files/isa-legalguide-web-1.pdf