By Staff Writer: Kayla Reichenbach
In a community where small businesses thrive, home bakers at Cannon Air Force Base are a beloved part of daily life. Many military spouses sell cookies, macarons, bagels and sourdough bread from home, with locals eager to support them. However, a recent controversy sparked debate over the legality of selling homemade food under New Mexico’s Homemade Food Act, also known as “cottage law.”
An anonymous Facebook user accused bakers of needing a business license and health inspection. Taking it a step further, they even reported home bakers to the police and base housing.
The post was met with over 100 comments of backlash as community members rallied in support of the bakers. While there are legal requirements, including a food handler’s card and proper labeling, New Mexico law allows non-time/temperature-controlled for safety (non-TCS) foods to be sold without a permit.
Despite the controversy, bakers remained confident in their right to operate.
“Trust that the majority of the community supports you more than you could imagine,” wrote Grant August Uhrich, a local member of the Cannon Spouses Facebook group.
“If you’re going to act big and bad, don’t post anonymously,” added Tyler Northcutt, another member of the group. Both commented on the anonymous accusatory post in the community page.
The takeaway is clear. Home bakers should understand the law, but they are not breaking it. With strong community support, the Cannon baking scene is here to stay.