New Jersey's Cottage Food Law
New Jersey's cottage food law allows individuals to produce and sell certain homemade food products from a residential kitchen without a commercial license. The law covers non-potentially-hazardous foods, meaning products that don't require refrigeration to stay safe. Home bakers, jam makers, and candy producers are the primary people this law serves. Your kitchen doesn't need a formal inspection to get started, which lowers the barrier significantly compared to many other states.
You can sell your cottage food products directly to consumers through farmers markets, roadside stands, farm stands, and online orders. Online sales are permitted, which means you can accept orders through a website or social media. Shipping is not allowed, so all transactions must result in direct, in-person pickup or delivery within New Jersey. You cannot sell through retail stores or wholesale channels under the cottage food exemption.
Your annual gross revenue from cottage food sales cannot exceed $50,000. No permit, license, or registration is required before you begin selling. Labeling requirements are straightforward but mandatory, and your products must be clearly identified as homemade. New Jersey's $50,000 revenue cap gives you meaningful room to grow a serious business. With no permit hurdles and online sales allowed, you're well-positioned to reach customers from day one.
Annual Limit
$50,000/year
Permit Required
No
Online Orders
Allowed
Shipping
Not Allowed
Permitted Foods
- ✓Baked goods (breads, cakes, cookies, muffins, pastries)
- ✓Jams, jellies, and preserves
- ✓Candies and confections
- ✓Roasted nuts
- ✓Dry herbs and herb blends
- ✓Dry baking mixes
- ✓Honey
- ✓Granola and cereal products
- ✓Fruit pies and fruit empanadas (non-cream based)
Prohibited Foods
- ✗Products requiring refrigeration for safety
- ✗Meat and poultry products
- ✗Seafood products
- ✗Dairy-based products (custards, cheesecakes, cream fillings)
- ✗Canned low-acid vegetables
- ✗Fermented or pickled vegetables
- ✗Juices and ciders
- ✗Products with meat-based fillings
Labeling Requirements
- ✓Producer's full name and home address
- ✓Product name
- ✓Complete ingredient list in descending order by weight
- ✓Major food allergen disclosure
- ✓Net weight or net volume
- ✓Statement: 'Made in a home kitchen that is not inspected by the State or local health department'
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New Jersey allows online orders
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Since New Jersey permits online cottage food sales, endvr gives you a branded storefront where customers can browse, preorder, and pay — no website required.
Bill tracking data provided by LegiScan