Island Moon Market Gazette
September 2013 Edition
In This Issue
Fun Facts!
Meet the Vendors
Quick Links
Island Moon Market 
 Island Moon Logo
North Padre Island's own premier vendor market is held the 4th Saturday of each month (see website for exceptions and additions). We've gathered some of the best craft vendors and distributors in South Texas. Come out to the shore for some fun and sun and take in some beach side shopping at the same time!
9am - 6pm
February - December
Become a Vendor 
 What's goin' on?
     
If you live on the Island like we do, you are exhaling and enjoying the calm of school being back in session! This past week has brought more rain than we have seen in some time! The beach is so very beautiful and the surfers are taking in the unusual waves of the gulf!
Phillip and I took a little break ourselves this last week. We are back in town and gearing up for the next market. For those of you who emailed and called with no response, we apologize and hope we have reached out to all of you now!
This month's market is sure to be a big one! The weather is perfect this time of year and folks are thinking about those one of a kind Christmas gifts! We once again have several new vendors attending and our vacationing vendors  are all returning!
Don't miss out! Mark your calendars for September 28th!
Vendors can fill out the application. register and submit payment through the links found here.
  
In this issue
 Fun Facts: New Cottage Food Laws
The new bill that passed is super exciting for your market and all markets in Texas! Read below to see what it is all about!
Meet the Vendors
Double A's Take Out BBQ!
(just in case you missed out last month)
  
Click on the links below and to the side for more information about the Island Moon Market, a map to the event and an application to become a vendor.
  
Blessings to you all,
Phillip & Darcie Mason
  
  The one & only Island Moon Market
361-403-4032
  
  
 Did you know?
  
 Starting September 1, 2013, The Texas Baker's Bill 2013 HB970 goes into effect!!
What is this bill you ask... it is a bill that allows the home based baking/cooking business to sell to the public without all the red tape!! This is exciting news for our market and all markets in the area!  If you have a killer nut brittle or maybe a cake recipe that you always thought would make you a millionaire, now is your chance to prove it.
 
Get your kitchen fired up and come set up at the next Island Moon Market on September 28th!
Here is an easy to understand version of the law which details the rules and regulations!
    
1. You may sell the following homemade food items: *Baked goods that do not require refrigeration, such as cakes, cookies, breads, and pastries.
*Candy
*Coated and uncoated nuts
*Unroasted nut butters
*Fruit butters
*Canned jams and jellies...
*Fruit pies
*Dehydrated fruits and vegetables including dried beans
*Popcorn and popcorn snacks
*Cereal, including granola
*Dry mixes
*Vinegar
*Pickles
*Mustard
*Roasted coffee or dry tea
*Dried herbs or herb mixes

2. You must earn $50,000 or less per year from the sale of the above food items.

3. No health department or local government authority can regulate your production of these items. There are no licenses, registration, or permits required by state law. (With the exception of a food handler's card, see item 10.)

4. If DSHS or your local health department has reason to believe your operation poses an immediate and serious threat to human life or health, they may take action, including getting a warrant to enter your home, and shutting down your operation.

5. You may sell the food at your home, deliver the food to your customer, or sell your food at the following locations: farmers' markets, farm stands, or municipal, county, or nonprofit fairs, festivals, or events.

6. Your food must be packaged in a way that prevents the product from becoming contaminated. Items that are too large or bulky for conventional packaging, like wedding cakes or cupcake bouquets, are not required to be packaged.

7. Your food must be labeled according to the labeling requirements. The label must be affixed to the package, except for items that are too large or bulky for packaging; in that case the label may be incorporated into the invoice.

8. You may not sell your food over the internet (for example: Etsy), and you may not ship your product.

9. You may not sell wholesale: in other words, you must sell your product directly to the end consumer. You may not sell your food to a reseller such as a grocery store, restaurant, or coffee shop.

10. You must obtain a food handler's card by January 1, 2014. If you have anyone assisting you in the preparation of your product, such as an employee, they must also obtain a card if at any time they will be unsupervised by you. This does not include members of your household.

11. You may not sell any food which requires time and temperature control to prevent spoilage - this is known as a "potentially hazardous food". However, you may use potentially hazardous products in your food, like milk, eggs, and cream, as long as your FINAL PRODUCT does not require refrigeration (cakes, cookies, candy, etc).

12. No municipal zoning ordinance can prevent you from having a cottage food operation in your home. However, your neighbors can still take action against you if your business becomes a nuisance to them.

Labeling Regulations
Q1. Do I have to label my cottage food products?
A: Yes.

Q2: What is supposed to be on the label?
The rules read:

(d) Labeling requirements for cottage food production operations. All foods prepared by a cottage food production operation must be labeled.

(1) The label information shall include:

(A) the name and physical address of the cottage food production operation;

(B) the common or usual name of the product;

(C) if a food is made with a major food allergen, such as eggs, nuts, soy, peanuts, milk or wheat that ingredient must be listed on the label; and

(D) the following statement: "This food is made in a home kitchen and is not inspected by the Department of State Health Services or a local health department."

(2) Labels must be legible.
Q3: Does the label have to be attached to the food package?
A: Yes, except for items that are too large or bulky for packaging; in that case, the label can be incorporated into the invoice.

Q4: Can I make a blanket statement that my product MAY contain all of the allergens listed in the labeling requirements?
A: No, you must actually list which allergens are present.

Q5: Can I add information to my label, such as a statement that the food may have come into contact with other allergens?
A: Yes.

Q6: I don't like the way that statement about the food being prepared in a home kitchen sounds. Can I re-write it in my own words?
A: No, you must print the statement of non-inspection in exactly the way it appears in the rule.

Q7: If I am selling a lot of small items, such as cookies or cake pops, to the same customer, does each one have to be individually packaged and labeled?
A: The law is not clear. It says that "food must be packaged" and "all food must be labeled." We would always advise to err on the side of fully complying with the law.

This information was obtained from
www.texascottagefoodlaw.com
Please consult the website or the City of Corpus Christi with questions or further information.
  
Meet the Vendors 
  
Double A's Take Out BBQ   
   
    "We got in the business because we love to cook and travel."  We have been to Sargent, San Luis Pass, Surfside, Cleveland and many other wonderful locations including several motorcycle rallies and markets.  We have met so many fantastic people from all over the world and everyone seems to love our food. "Freshness is the essence of taste and each order is prepared to the individual's request."
    Come on out to the Beach and grab a bite to eat. The Island Moon Market Courtesy Tent will be set up next to Double A so you can have a seat in the shade to enjoy your lunch!
    Here's a peek at the menu:
    Breakfast: Breakfast Taco's, Breakfast Sandwiches, Biscuits & Gravy and Coffee
    Lunch & Dinner: BBQ Sliced Beef, BBQ Chopped Beef, BBQ Sausage, BBQ Pulled Pork, Chicken, Burgers, Hot Dogs, Corn Dogs, Sausage on a Stick, Fish Sandwich, Shrimp or Fish Basket, Chicken * Sausage Gumbo, Crawfish Etouffee
    Plates with Beans, Potato Salad, Pickles & Onions:
    Brisket, Sausage, Chicken, Pulled Port, Combo
    Sides & Extras: Boudin Link's and Balls, Crab Stuffed Jalapenos, Pinto Beans & Rice, Potato Salad, French Fries, Homemade Onion Rings, Funnel Cakes, Pie of the Day, Ice Cream Cups and Cones, 20 0z Fountain Drinks & Bottled Water
    Credit Cards are accepted!

 

About Us
Phillip and Darcie Mason, owners of the Island Moon Market live on North Padre Island and operate the monthly Island Moon Market. Since May of 2012, we have enjoyed providing this market to all of Corpus Christi. Thank you to all who come out each month and support us and our vendors! See ya'll at the beach!