Massachusetts's Cottage Food Law

Massachusetts allows cottage food production under its home food manufacturing exemption. If you operate from your home kitchen, you can produce and sell certain non-potentially-hazardous foods without a food establishment license. The law covers baked goods, jams, jellies, candy, and other shelf-stable products that don't require refrigeration to stay safe. You must operate as an individual, not a licensed commercial entity.

You can sell your products through direct, in-person transactions only. Permitted venues include farmers markets, roadside stands, craft fairs, and sales directly from your home. Online sales are not allowed, and you cannot ship products to customers. All transactions must happen face-to-face, which means your customer base is limited to people you can reach in your local area.

Massachusetts has one of the strictest revenue caps in the country: your gross annual sales cannot exceed $1,000. No permit or registration is required before you start selling. That low revenue ceiling is the most significant constraint on your business, so tracking your sales carefully from day one is essential. As cottage food laws continue to evolve nationally, Massachusetts may revisit these limits, and staying informed puts you in a strong position to grow.