Jose 'JJ' Balderas
Springtown resident Angela Jack first became connected with Neighbor to Neighbors by donating food, especially eggs, to help the local pantry serve families in need.
Jack and her husband operate a bed-and-breakfast in the area and donate extra eggs to the organization’s food pantry.
“I love food and I love feeding people. It’s just kind of my thing,” she said.
Eventually, Jack said she began looking into the process of legally selling her eggs, which led her to learn more about the updated Texas Cottage Food Law, which allows people to prepare and sell certain foods from their homes without operating a commercial kitchen.
“I went online because I wanted to make sure I was in compliance with Texas (law), and that’s how I found out about the new cottage law,” she said.
Drawing on her experience legally selling eggs and donating a portion to Neighbor to Neighbors, Jack volunteered to lead a presentation from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, July 30, to show others how they can earn additional income while using their skills to support the community.
“My vision is the people take care of the people,” she said. “As food prices just keep getting higher and higher, I think we have the ability to help, but we lack confidence.”
During her presentation, Jack said she will provide an overview of the updated law which expanded the types of foods that can be sold from a private residence. The law took effect Sept. 1, 2025.
She noted the law allows most foods, with exceptions including meat, poultry, seafood, ice products, low-acid canned goods, products containing CBD or THC and raw milk products.
Jack said she will also emphasize the significant changes that strengthen protections for small food businesses by placing limits on local health department inspections or permits.
“No permits, the health department can’t inspect you — there’s no more inspection,” she said. “If a health department does inquire, they have to have a good reason. This is a big deal. This has been a long time coming and it gives so much freedom.”
While the law gives food operators more freedom, they are still required to complete an accredited food safety course and follow packaging and labeling requirements.
Jack said the information can appear intimidating online but is manageable once it is explained.
“It’s just real easy — one, two, three steps,” she said. “But it’s intimidating if you don’t know that.”
Jack said she plans to use the two-hour presentation to guide participants through the process. She believes food can help rebuild connections between neighbors while creating more opportunities for residents to support local producers.
She also hopes the presentation will encourage future entrepreneurs to donate a portion of what they produce to Neighbor to Neighbors’ food pantry, helping ensure food remains available for people in need.
“When you care for people, then it opens up such joy of taking care of one another,” Jack said.
The presentation is limited to 10 participants, but Jack said she will gladly schedule additional sessions if there is enough interest.
She added that the presentation is open to anyone interested in starting a small food business or learning more about supporting locally produced food.
“I think it’s for anybody who has had a dream of starting their own business, wants to help support their family and wants to support their community,” Jack said.
The Texas Cottage Food Law presentation will be held at Neighbor to Neighbors, 413 S. Main St. in Springtown. Please RSVP by calling Jack at 214-244-7979.
