warebythe florida cottage food law, in plain english
what you can sell from your home kitchen in florida, who you register with, where you can sell, and what the label has to say. checked against the state’s own pages on october 14, 2026.
on this page
1at a glance2what you can sell3how to start4where you can sell5labels6what’s changed7good to know8questions9sourcesyes, florida lets you sell homemade food from your home kitchen without a license, permit or inspection, as long as your sales stay at $250,000 a year or less. you can sell in person, online or by mail order, and deliver orders yourself or ship them by mail or a delivery service. you can’t sell wholesale to stores or restaurants, every item has to be packaged and labeled, and foods that need the fridge, like cheesecake or cream pies, aren’t allowed.
florida cottage food rules at a glance
| the law | florida cottage food law (florida statutes, section 500.80) |
|---|---|
| who runs it | florida department of agriculture and consumer services (fdacs), division of food safety |
| registration | no no state registration |
| kitchen inspection | no |
| training | no |
| yearly sales cap | $250,000 a year |
| selling from your home | yes |
| selling at farmers markets and events | yes |
| selling online orders | yesyou can take orders and payment online or by mail order |
| selling delivering it yourself | yesin person to the buyer or to an event venue; the law doesn’t limit who delivers |
| selling shipping within the state | yesby usps or a commercial delivery service |
| selling shipping to other states | yesflorida law doesn’t limit you to in-state buyers; check the other state’s rules |
| selling to stores, cafes and restaurants | nono selling to stores, restaurants or other resellers |
what can you sell from home in florida?
you can sell
- breads, rolls and biscuits
- cakes, pastries and cookies
- candy and confections
- jams, jellies and preserves
- fruit pies and dried fruit
- honey
- homemade pasta
- granola, trail mix, nuts and popcorn
you can’t sell
- cheesecake and cream or custard pies
- cream cheese frosting or fillings
- meat, poultry or seafood, including jerky
- cheese, yogurt and other dairy
- canned vegetables, salsa and pickles
- pet treats
these are examples, not the full list. check the florida department of agriculture and consumer services (fdacs), division of food safety before you sell something new.
how do you start a cottage food business in florida?
- no state registration. florida doesn’t ask cottage food sellers to register with the state. check your city or county for local rules, like zoning or a business license.
- label everything the way the law asks (below).
- start selling in the ways florida allows, and keep track of your sales if there’s a cap.
where and how can you sell in florida?
| from your home | yes |
|---|---|
| at farmers markets and events | yes |
| online orders | yesyou can take orders and payment online or by mail order |
| delivering it yourself | yesin person to the buyer or to an event venue; the law doesn’t limit who delivers |
| shipping within the state | yesby usps or a commercial delivery service |
| shipping to other states | yesflorida law doesn’t limit you to in-state buyers; check the other state’s rules |
| to stores, cafes and restaurants | nono selling to stores, restaurants or other resellers |
on wareby, food is always pickup or delivery by the shop, never a courier and never shipped, which fits the rules in every state. how to sell food online from home.
what goes on a cottage food label in florida?
“Made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to Florida’s food safety regulations.”
the statement florida requires on your label
the label also needs:
- your name and address
- product name
- ingredients, in order by weight
- net weight or volume
- allergens
- nutrition facts if you make a nutrition claim
- the statement in at least 10-point type
what’s changed in florida, and what’s coming?
| when | what |
|---|---|
| july 1, 2021 | the sales cap rose from $50,000 to $250,000, shipping by mail was allowed, llcs and other business entities can now run a cottage food operation, and cities and counties can no longer ban or regulate cottage food |
what else should you know in florida?
- cities and counties can’t ban or regulate cottage food, but you still have to follow florida’s rules for home-based businesses.
- you can only sell products that you store at your home.
- free samples are fine, but they have to be prepackaged.
- fdacs only inspects your kitchen if someone files a complaint, and it can ask you for records showing your yearly sales.
- pet treats: the cottage food law covers food for people only; pet treats fall under florida’s separate pet food rules.
questions people ask
do i need a license to sell baked goods from home in florida?
no state registration is needed for cottage food in florida. check your city or county for local rules, like zoning or a business license.
can i sell cottage food online in florida?
yes. you can take orders and payment online or by mail order.
can i ship cottage food in florida?
yes, within florida: by usps or a commercial delivery service. you can ship to other states too.
how much can i sell from home in florida?
up to $250,000 a year.
can i sell to stores or coffee shops in florida?
no. no selling to stores, restaurants or other resellers.
what can’t i sell from home in florida?
the usual no’s: cheesecake and cream or custard pies, cream cheese frosting or fillings, meat, poultry or seafood, including jerky, cheese, yogurt and other dairy, canned vegetables, salsa and pickles. check with the florida department of agriculture and consumer services (fdacs), division of food safety before you sell something new.
sources
- florida statutes, section 500.80: cottage food operations (2026)
- florida statutes, section 500.03: definitions (2026)
- florida department of agriculture and consumer services: cottage foods
- uf/ifas extension: cottage food faq (fs425)
- forrager: cottage food bills (florida sb 700 of 2025 made wording changes only)
this is general information to help you get started, not legal advice. we checked it against florida’s own pages on october 14, 2026, and laws change, so confirm with the florida department of agriculture and consumer services (fdacs), division of food safety (and your city or county) before you sell. spot something out of date? email hello@shopwareby.com.
we sold cinnamon rolls from home as minnesota cottage food producers before we opened a licensed kitchen and built wareby. our story