Last updated: October 2025
Loaf & Lore operates under the Nevada Cottage Food Program in compliance with NRS 446.866 and NAC 446.854, which allow certain non-potentially hazardous foods to be produced and sold directly to consumers from a home kitchen.
This page is provided for transparency and inspection purposes. It outlines our safety practices, labeling standards, and legal exemption from commercial food establishment requirements under Nevada law.
🏡 Cottage Food Registration
Business Name: Loaf & Lore
Owner/Operator: Mel (Miqehl) Martensen-Bayfield
License Type: Nevada Cottage Food Registration
Issued By: Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH)
Registration Number: ST-090-31580
County: Washoe County, Nevada
🧾 Cottage Food Exemption Statement
In accordance with NRS 446.866, all qualifying food items produced by Loaf & Lore are made in a home kitchen that is not inspected by the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health.
Each product label and point-of-sale display includes the following disclosure:
“This product was prepared in a kitchen that is not inspected by the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health.”
No wholesale, shipping, or third-party retail distribution is permitted for cottage food products.
🥖 Approved Cottage Food Categories
Loaf & Lore produces baked and dry goods that meet the definition of “non-potentially hazardous” under Nevada law, including:
- Breads and loaves (plain, sweet, or flavored)
- Cookies and pastries without cream or custard filling
- Dry mixes, croutons, and snack-style baked goods
- Shelf-stable jams, jellies, and fruit preserves (tested and verified for safe pH/acidity)
All foods are reviewed for compliance prior to production.
🧂 Labeling Standards
Each product sold under the Cottage Food Program includes a printed label showing:
- Business name and address of the cottage food operation
- Product name
- Ingredient list in descending order by weight
- Allergen declaration consistent with FDA labeling standards
- Net weight or quantity
- Date prepared or batch code (when applicable)
- The required Nevada cottage food disclosure statement
Example Label:
Loaf & Lore
Mountain Loaf – Honey Wheat Bread
Ingredients: Unbleached flour, water, honey, yeast, salt
Contains: Wheat
Net Wt. 16 oz (454 g)
This product was prepared in a kitchen that is not inspected by the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health.
Loaf & Lore – Sparks, NV
Registration No. ST-090-31580
🧤 Food Handling & Sanitation Practices
Although our kitchen is exempt from inspection, we voluntarily follow high-standard sanitation practices modeled on FDA Food Code and NAC 446, including:
- Thorough handwashing before and during food preparation
- Use of hair restraints and clean clothing
- Disinfection of preparation surfaces before and after use
- Segregation of production from household activities and pets
- Storage of ingredients in sealed, food-grade containers
- Proper temperature and humidity control for proofing and storage
- Ongoing education in food safety and labeling compliance
All utensils and bakeware are cleaned and used exclusively for Loaf & Lore production during prep periods.
🧊 Ingredient Sourcing
Ingredients are purchased from reputable commercial suppliers and verified for freshness and safety.
We do not use unpasteurized dairy, fresh meat, or any ingredients outside the approved cottage-food list.
📦 Storage & Distribution
- Products are stored in clean, dry, temperature-controlled areas.
- Finished goods are labeled and packaged immediately after cooling.
- Cottage food products are sold direct-to-consumer by pickup appointment only.
- No shipping, delivery, or wholesale sales are conducted under the cottage food registration.
⚠️ Allergen & Consumer Notice
Products may contain or come into contact with wheat, eggs, dairy, nuts, soy, or other common allergens.
While we take care to prevent cross-contact, we cannot guarantee allergen-free products due to the nature of home-kitchen preparation.
🧾 Recordkeeping & Traceability
Loaf & Lore maintains batch logs for all cottage food items, including:
- Recipe and ingredient source documentation
- Production date and batch code
- Reservation or sale record
Records are retained for at least 90 days to ensure traceability and accountability in the event of inquiry.
🔖 Upcoming Legal Change: AB 352 (Cottage Food Law Expansion)
In 2025, Nevada passed Assembly Bill 352, which expands and modernizes the state’s cottage food regulations. Specifics on AB 352 here
Key provisions include:
- Raising the gross sales cap for cottage food businesses
- Permitting orders over phone or internet
- Enabling shipping or delivery of cottage food products via third-party platforms
- Consolidating oversight under the Department of Agriculture rather than public health agencies
These new provisions will take effect when AB 352 is fully implemented (check the state’s legislative schedule for the official start date).
Once effective, Loaf & Lore will update this page and all labeling, operational, and business policies accordingly.
See how Loaf and Lore will change here.
🧑⚕️ Contact & Inspection Access
For questions or verification of compliance, please contact:
📧 Mel@loafandlore.com
📍 Reno, Nevada
Loaf & Lore will cooperate with any inspection or inquiry from the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) or the Washoe County Health District in accordance with Nevada law.
❤️ Commitment to Transparency
Food safety and honesty are core to Loaf & Lore’s philosophy.
Even as a small cottage operation, we aim to exceed state requirements through meticulous labeling, responsible sourcing, and open communication with our customers and regulators alike.