Cottage Food Startup Checklist

Everything you need to do before your first sale — state requirements, labeling, record-keeping setup, and market applications.

Before You Sell

Confirmed your state's tier (1, 2, or 3)

Use the Law Finder and verify with your state agriculture department.

Identified your products (confirmed non-TCS)

Every product must be shelf-stable at room temperature. Confirm nothing requires refrigeration.

Registered with state (if Tier 2) or applied for license (if Tier 3)

Tier 1: no action needed. Tier 2: complete free state registration. Tier 3: obtain the required license before selling.

Created compliant labels for each product

All required fields including your state's exact disclaimer language. Use the Label Checklist.

Verified allergen disclosures with each ingredient supplier

Read every ingredient's allergen statement. Contact manufacturers when in doubt.

Set up a sales tracking system

Simple spreadsheet or receipt book: date, venue, product, amount. Track gross sales from January 1.

Know your state's annual gross sales cap

Know the number before you start selling. Plan for what you will do if you approach it.

Applied to at least one farmers market or sales venue

Contact markets 4-8 weeks before you want to start. Popular markets have waitlists.

Checked local zoning rules for home-based business

Some HOAs and municipalities have home occupation rules separate from state cottage food law.

Considered product liability insurance

Not required everywhere, but $300-500/year provides significant protection. Some markets require it.