Cottage food laws exist in every U.S. state but the rules vary dramatically — allowed products, annual revenue caps, required food-safety training, labeling rules, and permitted sales channels all differ by state. The common thread: they carve out a legal path for small home-based producers to sell direct to consumers.
Typical allowed categories include baked goods (breads, pastries, cookies), jams and preserves, dry herbs and spices, honey, candy, and some fermented and pickled goods. Typically NOT allowed: meat, dairy, eggs in quantity, anything requiring refrigeration, most canned low-acid foods.
Because the rules change frequently, always verify current thresholds and allowed products with your state department of agriculture before scaling an operation.