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Cottage food by state

New York cottage food law: what you can sell and how

New York calls cottage food home processing. You register with the Department of Agriculture and Markets, make foods from its approved list that need no refrigeration, and sell within the state.

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Updated November 2026 by the Madeline's team, who set these tools up for makers and farms.

The short version

New York home processors register with Agriculture and Markets at no fee. Only shelf-stable foods from the approved list qualify, such as breads, cookies, cakes, fruit pies and high-acid fruit jams. You can sell at markets, online and wholesale to local stores and restaurants, but only within New York. No out-of-state shipping.

New York rules at a glance

  1. Who regulates

    New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Registration is free, has no expiration date and is tied to your location.

  2. Allowed foods

    Approved shelf-stable items such as breads, cookies, cakes, cupcakes, brownies, double-crust fruit pies, scones, crackers, pretzels and high-acid fruit jams and jellies. Anything that needs refrigeration is not allowed.

  3. Not allowed

    Examples include dairy-based frostings, cheesecake, cream pies, pickles, sauces, salad dressings, nut butters, chocolate for dipping, cheese, meat, fish, beverages and freeze-dried foods.

  4. Where you can sell

    Farms, farmers markets, craft fairs, home delivery and online, all within New York. Wholesale to local restaurants, cafes and grocery stores in the state is allowed. Products must be packaged at home.

  5. Shipping

    Online sales are allowed only within New York. Out-of-state shipping is not permitted.

  6. Labels

    Product name, ingredients by weight, net quantity, your name and full address, allergens, and a phrase such as Made in a Home Kitchen in text at least 1/16 inch tall.

  7. Water

    If your home uses a private well, include a total coliform water test from a certified lab.

Check the source

  • Official source

    New York State Agriculture and Markets: Home Processing

    Rules change. Confirm the current figures and forms with the state before you start selling.

    Open the official page

  • Cottage food to commercial kitchen

    What changes when you outgrow the limits.

    Read the guide

  • Free tool

    Cost per jar calculator

    Price your cottage food products from what they really cost.

    Use the calculator

  • Food label requirements

    What a packaged food label needs, including allergens.

    Read the guide

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Questions

Do I need to register to sell home-baked goods in New York?

Yes. Register as a home processor with the Department of Agriculture and Markets. There is no fee.

Is there a sales limit in New York?

The state's home processing page does not list a sales limit. The limits are on which foods and where you sell.

Can I ship home processed food out of New York?

No. Sales, including online, must stay within New York State.

Can I sell to stores?

Yes, wholesale to restaurants, cafes and grocery stores within New York.

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Tell us what you make and what you use today. A spreadsheet and a Square account is a fine answer. We reply by email with what we would keep, what we would change and what it costs.

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