Kentucky's Cottage Food Law
Kentucky's cottage food law allows individuals to produce and sell certain non-hazardous foods made in a home kitchen. The law applies to home-based producers who want to sell directly to consumers without operating a licensed commercial facility. Covered products are generally shelf-stable baked goods, jams, jellies, and similar items that don't require refrigeration to remain safe. You must register with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to operate legally.
You can sell your cottage food products directly to consumers at farmers markets, roadside stands, community events, and from your home. Online sales are not permitted under Kentucky's cottage food law, and you cannot ship products to customers. All sales must happen face-to-face, which means your business is built around local, in-person transactions. There are no restrictions on which counties or venues you can sell in, as long as sales remain direct.
Your annual gross revenue cannot exceed $60,000, which is a relatively generous cap compared to many other states. You're required to obtain a permit before you begin selling, so register with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture before your first transaction. One notable feature of Kentucky's law is its straightforward registration process, which keeps the barrier to entry low for new producers. With solid local demand and a clear legal framework, your home baking business has a real foundation to grow.
Quick Summary
Kentucky cottage food law allows:
- •Baked goods (cakes, cookies, breads, pastries, muffins)
- •Jams, jellies, and fruit preserves
- •Candies and fudge
- •Fruit pies and cobblers
- •Honey
- •Roasted nuts
Not allowed:
- •Meat and poultry products
- •Dairy-based products requiring refrigeration
- •Low-acid canned goods (vegetables, meats)
- •Foods requiring temperature control for safety
- •Alcoholic beverages
- •Seafood products
Sales limit: $50,000 per year
Annual Limit
$50,000/year
Permit Required
No
Online Orders
Allowed
Shipping
Not Allowed
Permitted Foods
- ✓Baked goods (cakes, cookies, breads, pastries, muffins)
- ✓Jams, jellies, and fruit preserves
- ✓Candies and fudge
- ✓Fruit pies and cobblers
- ✓Honey
- ✓Roasted nuts
- ✓Dry herbs and herb blends
- ✓Dry seasoning mixes
- ✓Granola and cereals
Prohibited Foods
- ✗Meat and poultry products
- ✗Dairy-based products requiring refrigeration
- ✗Low-acid canned goods (vegetables, meats)
- ✗Foods requiring temperature control for safety
- ✗Alcoholic beverages
- ✗Seafood products
Labeling Requirements
- ✓Producer's full name and home address
- ✓Product name
- ✓Complete list of ingredients in descending order by weight
- ✓Major food allergen disclosure
- ✓Net weight or net volume
- ✓Statement: 'This product is homemade and not inspected by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture'
Starting a Home Bakery in Kentucky
Once you understand the cottage food rules, most Kentucky home bakers focus on three things:
- →Pricing recipes so they are profitable
- →Creating compliant labels
- →Managing orders and preorders
endvr helps Kentucky bakers do all three in one place.
Tools for Kentucky Cottage Food Bakers
Create compliant labels in seconds
endvr's label maker automatically includes the Kentucky required disclaimer and allergen labeling — so your labels are always inspection-ready.
Kentucky allows online orders
Launch an online bakery storefront
Since Kentucky permits online cottage food sales, endvr gives you a simple storefront where customers can browse, preorder, and pay — no website required.
Common Questions Kentucky Bakers Ask
Can I sell baked goods from home in Kentucky?+
Do I need a permit to sell cottage food in Kentucky?+
How much can I earn selling cottage food in Kentucky?+
Can I take orders online in Kentucky?+
Can I ship cottage food products in Kentucky?+
What foods can I sell from home in Kentucky?+
What labeling is required to sell cottage food in Kentucky?+
Common Kentucky cottage food questions
Bill tracking data provided by LegiScan