Kentucky's Cottage Food Law

Kentucky's cottage food law allows individuals to produce and sell certain non-potentially-hazardous foods made in a home kitchen. The law covers home-based producers who operate at a small scale, primarily targeting direct consumer sales. Qualifying products are shelf-stable foods that don't require refrigeration to stay safe, including baked goods, candies, jams, and similar items. You don't need a commercial kitchen or food safety certification to qualify.

You can sell your cottage food products directly to consumers through farmers markets, roadside stands, home-based sales, and online orders. Online sales are permitted, which gives you flexibility to reach customers beyond your immediate area. However, shipping is not allowed, meaning you must arrange in-person pickup or local delivery. You cannot sell through retail stores, restaurants, or other third-party vendors.

Your annual gross sales cannot exceed $50,000, which is a generous cap compared to many other states. No permit, license, or registration is required before you start selling. One practical advantage of Kentucky's law is that the combination of online ordering and a high revenue ceiling makes it easier to build a sustainable home-based business. With straightforward entry requirements, you can start selling as soon as your products and labels are ready.