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California AB 1616

Initial cottage food law which created two classes of cottage food operations (CFOs). Class A can sell directly at most venues, whereas Class B can also sell indirectly through stores, restaurants, etc. A Class B permit is more expensive and requires a kitchen inspection. All CFOs can sell from a specific list of non-perishable items,… [read more]

Michigan HB 5130

Increase sales limit from $15k to $20k until 2017, then $25k thereafter

Georgia R&R 40-7-19

Initial cottage food law. Allows most non-perishable products to be sold directly to consumers from home and at farmers markets, events, and other venues. Requires producers to get a $100/year cottage food license, take a food safety training course, and get inspected by the ag department. Includes many labeling and workplace requirements. This law was… [read more]

Can you sell cottage foods?

Can you sell homemade food? The short answer is… probably, if your state allows it. Most states have cottage food laws in place, but there are still some things you should check before getting started.

Tennessee SB 3547

Allowed “home-based kitchens” to sell directly from home and at farmers markets and events, without needing a permit from the ag department. Certain nonperishable foods were allowed, and there was no sales limit. These rules were repealed in 2017.

Arizona HB 2103

Arizona’s initial cottage food law, allowing for the sale of baked and confectionary goods from any venue within the state

Florida HB 7209

Initial cottage food law, which allowed producers to directly sell a number of non-perishable foods, and set a $15k sales limit

South Dakota HB 1222

Initial cottage food law. Allowed producers to sell nonperishable baked goods and home canned goods at farmers markets, roadside stands, and similar venues. Those selling canned goods needed to have their recipes approved by a processing authority.

New Mexico 7.6.2.16 NMAC

This was New Mexico’s initial law for “Homebased Food Processors”. For many years, it was the strictest of all cottage food laws, which resulted in very few people using it. And some areas — most notably Albuquerque — didn’t even allow homebased food processors at all. The steps to to get a permit were very… [read more]

Indiana HB 1309

Enabled sales of nonperishable foods at farmers markets & roadside stands

Tennessee TN Rules & Regulations 0080-04-11-.04

Allowed “domestic kitchens”, which could sell directly and indirectly, but required a complex application process, and limited sales to 100 units per week. These rules were repealed in 2017.

Delaware 9 DE Reg. 1057

Establishes rules allowing farmers to sell homemade foods. Allows farmers to sell many types of non-perishable foods. Allows farmers to sell from their farm, at farmers markets, and from roadside stands. Limits sales to $40,000 per year. Requires farmers to get an annual license, kitchen inspection, and take a food safety course. Prohibits pets from… [read more]

Kentucky HB 391

Kentucky’s first cottage food law for home-based processors was only for farmers or those who grew the primary ingredient in a product (e.g. grew strawberries for strawberry jelly). This law allowed farmers to sell bread, cakes, cookies, pies, jams, jellies, fruit butters, and sweet sorghum syrup on their farm, at farmers markets, or at roadside… [read more]

Kentucky HB 391

Kentucky’s law for home-based microprocessors is only for farmers or those who grow the primary ingredient in a product (e.g. grow tomatoes for canned tomatoes). This law allows farmers to sell acidified foods, low-acid canned foods, and low-sugar jams & jellies on their farm, at farmers markets, or at roadside stands. Home-based microprocessors need to… [read more]

Rhode Island Title 21-27-6.1

A new law to allow farmers (that sell over $2,500 of agricultural products per year) to register as a “farm home food manufacturer” and sell many types of nonperishable products at ag-related venues, including farmers markets, farm stands, and other events and stores that are operated by farmers.