Mississippi's Cottage Food Law

Mississippi allows cottage food production under state law that permits individuals to prepare and sell certain non-potentially-hazardous foods from their home kitchens. You qualify if you're operating as an individual out of your primary residence. Covered products are generally shelf-stable baked goods, jams, jellies, and candies that don't require refrigeration to stay safe. The law is designed for small-scale, home-based producers.

You can sell your cottage food products directly to consumers through venues like farmers markets, roadside stands, and on-site sales at your home. Online sales are not permitted under Mississippi law, and you cannot ship products to customers. All sales must happen face-to-face in a direct transaction. There are no provisions allowing third-party retail placement, so you'll need to be present at the point of sale.

Your gross annual revenue from cottage food sales cannot exceed $20,000. You don't need a permit, license, or state registration to get started, which lowers the barrier to entry considerably compared to many other states. One notable feature is the straightforward, no-permit structure that lets you begin selling almost immediately once you meet labeling requirements. If your business grows beyond the revenue cap, you'll want to explore a licensed food establishment pathway.