Rhode Island's Cottage Food Law

Rhode Island permits cottage food production under its home food manufacturing exemption, allowing individuals to produce and sell certain non-potentially-hazardous foods made in a residential kitchen. The law covers home-based operators who want to sell directly to consumers without the overhead of a licensed commercial facility. Eligible products are generally shelf-stable baked goods, jams, jellies, and similar low-risk foods that don't require refrigeration to stay safe.

You can sell your cottage food products through direct-to-consumer channels, including farmers markets, roadside stands, fairs, and similar in-person venues. Online orders are permitted, which means you can take orders through a website or social media, but you must complete the transaction in person. Shipping your products to customers is not allowed, so all sales must result in direct, local pickup or hand-off rather than mail fulfillment.

Your annual gross revenue from cottage food sales cannot exceed $25,000. No permit, license, or registration is required before you start selling, which keeps the barrier to entry low. Rhode Island's allowance of online ordering without a permit requirement makes it relatively accessible for new producers. As you build your customer base locally, that revenue ceiling gives you meaningful room to grow a real business from your home kitchen.