New Hampshire Can you legally sell food from home in New Hampshire?
Cottage Food Law
New Hampshire essentially has a two-tier system. For those wishing to sell low quantities of product at farmers markets and from home, there is very little process to get setup, and the details are listed below. For operators wanting to sell more product at any venue, they must apply for a Homestead License, which is much more complicated.
For non-licensed “homestead food operations”, sales are limited to $35,000 of goods per year. A fair number of foods are allowed to be produced from a home kitchen, but sales may only be made at farmers markets, from the operation’s home, or at a farm stand that the operation owns. Fortunately, since there is no license required from the health department, many operators can get started relatively easily, and then acquire a license when their business grows.
Unlike most states, New Hampshire allows sales from cottage food operations in other states if they register. However, many states do not allow their CFOs to engage in interstate sales.
Selling Where can you sell homemade food products?
In addition to selling at home or a farmers market, an operation can sell at their own farm stand.
Allowed Foods What food products can you sell from home?
Jams and jellies are allowed, but if you are using a recipe that has not been approved by the National Center for Home Food Preservation, then your recipe needs to be tested by a food processing authority.
Fruit butters (except for pumpkin butter) are allowed, but they need to be tested by a food processing authority.
Any item that uses homemade honey or maple syrup is not allowed under this law.
Limitations How will your home food business be restricted?
Business What do you need to do to sell food from home?
Although you do not need a license or kitchen inspection from the health department, there may be other local requirements for your business, such as a business license.
Labeling How do you label cottage food products?
Chocolate Chip Cookies
"This product is exempt from New Hampshire licensing and inspection." (10-point type)
Forrager Cookie Company
123 Chewy Way, Cookietown, NH 73531
Phone: (123) 456-7890
Ingredients: enriched flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), butter (cream, salt), semi-sweet chocolate (sugar, chocolate, cocoa butter, milkfat, soy lecithin, natural flavors), brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract (vanilla bean extract, alcohol, sugar), baking soda, salt (salt, calcium silicate)
Contains: milk, eggs, wheat, soy
A PO box may not be used as the address for the operation.
Workplace Are there any home kitchen requirements?
There are many kitchen requirements listed in these FAQs.
Resources Where can you find more information about this law?
- foodprotection@dhhs.state.nh.us
- Telephone
- 603-271-4589
Melanie Anne Cramer 
Lori
Kristin
Jessica
Cathe Lisk
Coleen
Comments
Heather
HI, I make a blueberry sauce. Do I need to get this tested to sell at farmers markets? If yes where can I do this. There is a new craft store in NH called Hand Made In, Is this someplace that I can sell in?
Christine
Hi,
Just curious, but I make my own pickles on top of growing my own vegetables and I also make my own syrup-from what I have read above it appears as though the pickles and syrup need to be regulated?? Can someone please point me in the right direction, as I’m looking to just set up a simple stand out front my home, and I want to make sure I’m following the law.
Thanks !
Sandy
I am looking for what I need to do for a non-cook farm license, to cut up and sell raw vegetables & fruits in NH. I know about no license needed for the homestead, non PHF that you bake under $20,000 in sales. Any info or direction is greatly appreciated, thank you.
Laurie A Brewer
I saw nut butters under condiments on the New Hampshire homestead license page. Can you make and sell nut butters under the cottage law. I read thought the pdf from the state and saw no mention of nut butters. Thanks in advance😊
Coleen
I have been making Vegan cheeses and want to sell them at farmers markets and possibly to restaurants…Can you guide me in the right direction for legal production and the proper protocol? Looking forward to your reply…Thank you
Cindi Sheridan-Heller
Hi, I make mustard’s and chutneys that I would like to sell on farmers markets and from a farm stand at home. Would that fall under the cottage laws or do I need to request a standard commercial license? Thanks for your help!
Melanie
Hi there!
Manchester from what I have learned, is the only city in New Hampshire that does not allow any sort of home-based food production due to it being a self-inspected city.
Where can I find a list of towns/cities that do allow for either small-based homestead work?
Also – where can I find a list of towns/cities that would allow me to build a small professional-based kitchen on my property?
Thank you in advance….