New Hampshire has a two-tier system for “homestead food operations”: unlicensed and licensed. Unlicensed operators can sell homemade food at farmers markets, from home, or at their own farm stand. Operators who get a Homestead License can sell at almost any sales venue, including wholesale, selling online, and shipping products. The other requirements are the… [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]
Allows licensed producers to sell freeze dried foods from home, at their own farm stand, or at retail stores.
Allows producers to use an email address on labels instead of a physical address. Allows producers to simplify labels in certain situations by using a QR code.
Allows producers to use other parts of their home for food production (not just their home kitchen).
Creates a committee to review the approval process for recipes used in a homestead food operation.
Allows homestead food operations to use commercial kitchen equipment.
Allows “occasional food service establishments” to offer pickup for products once per week, without needing a license.
Maci Reed of Dover, NH shares how she rapidly built a successful cottage food bakery by focusing on helping others and fostering community, and eventually sold over 1,000 baked goods in a single day
Would have redefined “homestead foods” as “artisan foods” and replace their cottage food law with a food freedom law. Would have allowed the sale of perishable foods. Would have allowed all in-person sales and wholesale for non-perishable and perishable foods. Would have also allowed online sales and shipping for non-perishable foods.
Allows producers to sell acidified foods (pickles, salsas, etc)
Removes the $35k sales limit for “homestead food operations”.
Would have changed their basic cottage food law for “homestead food operations” into a micro-restaurant law for meals prepared and served on the same day. Would have increased the sales limit from $35,000 to $50,000.
Increased the sales limit from $20,000 to $35,000 per year