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How to sell jam wholesale

Getting jam onto store shelves takes the right license, a price that works at keystone, a sensible case pack and a one-page sell sheet. Then a few stores who reorder.

Get a plan and a priceSee the picks

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

The short answer

Check your state allows wholesale from your kitchen (many cottage food laws do not), price so you still profit when stores double your wholesale price, sell by the case of 6 or 12, put lot codes on every jar, and pitch local shops with a sell sheet and samples.

The steps

  1. Check the license

    Many cottage food laws allow direct sales only. Wholesale often needs a licensed kitchen or a state that allows it.

  2. Price for keystone

    Stores usually double your wholesale price. Use the wholesale price calculator so your margin survives that.

  3. Pick a case pack

    6 or 12 jars per case is typical. Keep it simple.

  4. Add lot codes

    Stores ask for traceability. Put a lot code on every jar.

  5. Make a sell sheet

    One page: products, sizes, case price, shelf price, minimum order, how to order.

  6. Start local

    Cheese shops, farm stores and gift shops near you. Bring samples.

  7. Make reordering easy

    A simple order form or wholesale portal, and a check-in before they run out.

Want one of these set up for you?

Tell us what you make. We send back a short plan and a price.

Get a plan and a price

How it works

  1. Tell us what you make

    What you make and what you use now. A spreadsheet and a Square account is a fine answer.

  2. Get a short plan

    Keep this, replace that, connect these, and the cost.

  3. We set it up

    Setup and migration done for you. You approve before anything goes live.

  4. Run it or hand it off

    Take it from there yourself or keep us on for the upkeep.

Questions

Can I sell cottage food jam to stores?

It depends on your state. Some cottage food laws allow sales to stores; many allow direct sales only. Check your state's rules.

How do I price jam for wholesale?

Start from your true cost per jar, set a wholesale price with room for your margin, and check the shelf price at about double.

What case size should I use?

6 or 12 jars per case is typical for specialty stores.

Do stores need lot codes?

Most do. A lot code on each jar lets you trace a batch.

Get a plan and a price

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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