Betsy Tranquilli of Waimea, HI shares how she built a unique and successful bakery that works around her busy schedule by staying true to her identity and focusing on what she’s most passionate about
In 2026, West Virginia passed SB 44 to allow many types of homemade perishable foods to be sold. Producers should only use this law if they want to sell perishable foods (including acidified foods). Producers who only want to sell non-perishable foods are better off using West Virginia’s older cottage food law. Under this law,… [read more]
Indiana has two laws for homemade food processors: this law for “homestead vendors” (HB 1424), and an older law for “home-based vendors” (HB 1149). This law (for homestead vendors) is better to use for sales from home, at farmers markets, and online (including in-state shipping) since it allows many more types of foods to be… [read more]
In 2026, Idaho passed the “Idaho Direct-to-Consumer Commerce Act” (SB 1283) which significantly expanded their cottage food law. Producers can sell all types of non-perishable foods and most types of perishable foods (excluding most meat products) directly to consumers within the state. The law also allows direct sales through a “designated agent” such as a… [read more]
Although New Hampshire has a homestead food law that accommodates many types of home food businesses, they have a special allowance for those who sell from home occasionally. A producer is considered an “occasional food service establishment” if they sell for no more than 4 days in a 28-day period (once per week), AND if… [read more]
In 2022, Tennessee passed a food freedom law (HB 813) to replace their old cottage food law, and they amended it in 2025 (HB 130). Producers in Tennessee can sell most types of food (including many perishable foods) at most venues throughout the state, including selling from home, at markets, via retail stores, or online… [read more]
Texas passed their first (very restrictive) cottage food law in 2011 (SB 81). Over the years, they have faced massive resistance to improving their law, but they also have the largest cottage food advocacy group of any state. After passing major improvements in 2013 (HB 970), 2019 (SB 572), and 2025 (SB 541), they now… [read more]
For many years, Oklahoma had one of the most restrictive cottage food laws in the United States. However, in 2021, Oklahoma replaced their cottage food law with the Homemade Food Freedom Act (HB 1032), and it is now one of the best laws in the country! Under the food freedom law, producers can sell their… [read more]
Arizona’s has one of the best cottage food laws of any state. Producers can sell almost any type of food, including products containing meat. Most types of food products can be sold anywhere, including from home, at events, in stores, and online. However, dairy products and items containing meat can only be sold directly (in-person)… [read more]
Nebraska has a very good cottage food law. Unlike most states, producers can sell most types of homemade foods, including many types of perishable foods. Producers can sell directly to consumers at farmers markets, events, from home, and online. Non-perishable products can also be shipped. Indirect sales (wholesale, retail stores, etc) are not allowed, but… [read more]
In 2024, Alaska replaced their old cottage food law with a food freedom law (HB 251), and is now one of the best states for selling homemade food. Producers can sell almost any type of homemade food, including perishable foods and certain items with meat. Producers can sell almost anywhere within the state, including in-person,… [read more]
After many years of consistent effort, Connecticut finally created a usable cottage food law (PA 18-141 or SB 193) that went into effect on October 1st, 2018. Before then, only farmers could sell homemade food. Farmers can still use the Residential Farm law to sell certain types of canned goods. This law allows the direct… [read more]
The “Colorado Cottage Foods Act” began in 2012 and was amended in 2013, 2015, and 2016 (read about the history of the act). 2016’s amendment (SB 16-058) added all non-PHF foods to the approved list (including pickled items) and enabled internet sales within the state. The current law restricts producers to direct sales only, but no license from… [read more]
California passed their first cottage food law (AB 1616 – The California Homemade Food Act) in 2012, and it went into effect on January 1st, 2013. The law was amended in 2013 (AB 1252) and 2021 (AB 1144 & AB 831). California has two classes of cottage food operations (CFOs): Class A & Class B…. [read more]
Unlike most states, Iowa allows home cooks to sell most types of foods, including perishable products. After an update in 2022 (HF 2431), Iowa is the only state to allow products that contain some types of meat and poultry that are purchased. Home food processing establishments can sell their items at any venue, but they… [read more]
For many years, Illinois had one of the most restrictive cottage food laws in the nation. Their first cottage food law in 2012 (SB 0840) only allowed cottage food operations to sell certain items at farmers markets. Even though an amendment in 2018 (HB 3063) removed the sales limit and greatly expanded the list of… [read more]
In 2018, California passed a new type of bill (AB 626), which allows for “microenterprise home kitchen operations” (MEHKOs). The law went into effect on January 1st, 2019. Under this first-of-its-kind law, home cooks can start micro-restaurants from home and sell virtually any kind of food. This varies greatly with most cottage food laws that… [read more]
For many years, only Kentucky farmers could sell homemade food, leaving it as one of the last states without a basic cottage food law. But that changed in 2018 when the law was amended (HB 263) to make it available to everyone. With this law, home-based processors can make many types of non-perishable foods and… [read more]
In 2017, North Dakota passed the country’s second food freedom bill (HB 1433), modeled after Wyoming’s. Unlike most cottage food laws, this food freedom law allows producers to sell any type of food, as long as it doesn’t contain meat. There is one exception: those who raise a small amount of poultry can sell their… [read more]
Montana first created a cottage food law in 2015, but it was almost entirely replaced in 2021 with the passage of the Montana Local Food Choice Act (SB 199). This “food freedom” law removed almost all restrictions from selling homemade food, and it prevents government agencies from regulating a producer. To sell homemade food, a… [read more]
Florida’s cottage food law has improved significantly over time. After passing their first law (HB 7209) in 2011, they have passed three amendments: in 2017 they passed HB 1233, and in 2021 they passed HB 663 & HB 403. Florida now has a good cottage food law, especially since it is very easy for a… [read more]
Washington D.C. started allowing homemade food sales in 2013, with the passage of the “Cottage Food Amendment Act of 2013” (B20-0168). Cottage food businesses can now sell most types of non-perishable homemade foods within the DC area at almost any venue, including wholesale and online sales. To become a cottage food business, producers need to… [read more]
LAW UPDATE Since this page was last updated, Wyoming improved their food freedom law with a new bill (HB 118). As of July 1st, 2021, producers can now sell eggs under the law, and clarifies that there should be as few restrictions as possible for businesses using this law. Wyoming has the best cottage food… [read more]
NEW LAW As of May 5th, 2021, Utah passed a new bill (HB 94) which allows producers to run mini restaurants from their home. It is similar to California’s MEHKO law. Utah has two laws that allow for the sale of homemade food. This page is for Utah’s food freedom law, also known as the… [read more]
Setting up a domestic kitchen is a relatively complex and expensive process, but they give producers a lot of freedom once they are setup. Those who want an easier setup and fewer requirements (but more restrictions) can use Oregon’s cottage food law, and those who grow the primary ingredient in their products may be able… [read more]
Unlike almost every other state, Virginia allows people to operate very unrestricted food businesses out of their homes. Their food laws are very different than most states, written in such a way that there is not any distinction between a food business that uses a commercial kitchen versus a home kitchen. Instead, the distinction is provided by… [read more]