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Nebraska's Cottage Food Law

Nebraska's cottage food law allows individuals to produce and sell certain non-hazardous homemade food products from a residential kitchen. The law covers foods that don't require refrigeration to remain safe, including baked goods, jams, jellies, and similar shelf-stable items. To operate legally, you must register with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and comply with labeling and sanitation standards.

You can sell your products through a range of channels in Nebraska, including farmers markets, roadside stands, craft fairs, and direct-to-consumer transactions. Online orders are permitted, and you're allowed to ship products to customers within the state. Sales through third-party retail stores are generally not permitted under the cottage food framework, so your sales must remain direct between you and the buyer.

Nebraska does not impose an annual revenue cap, which gives your business room to grow without hitting a legal ceiling. A registration with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture is required before you begin selling. One notable advantage is the combination of no revenue limit and shipping permissions, which puts Nebraska among the more flexible states for home-based food entrepreneurs. With the right registration in place, you have a strong foundation to build a sustainable cottage food business.

Quick Summary

Nebraska cottage food law allows:

  • •Baked goods (breads, cookies, cakes, muffins, pastries)
  • •Jams, jellies, and preserves
  • •Candies and confections
  • •Dried herbs and herb blends
  • •Roasted nuts
  • •Honey

Not allowed:

  • •Meat and poultry products
  • •Foods requiring refrigeration for safety
  • •Canned low-acid vegetables
  • •Dairy-based products requiring refrigeration
  • •Seafood products
  • •Fermented or acidified foods (unless separately licensed)

Sales limit: $20,000 per year

Annual Limit

$20,000/year

Permit Required

No

Online Orders

Not Allowed

Shipping

Not Allowed

Permitted Foods

  • ✓Baked goods (breads, cookies, cakes, muffins, pastries)
  • ✓Jams, jellies, and preserves
  • ✓Candies and confections
  • ✓Dried herbs and herb blends
  • ✓Roasted nuts
  • ✓Honey
  • ✓Granola and dry mixes

Prohibited Foods

  • ✗Meat and poultry products
  • ✗Foods requiring refrigeration for safety
  • ✗Canned low-acid vegetables
  • ✗Dairy-based products requiring refrigeration
  • ✗Seafood products
  • ✗Fermented or acidified foods (unless separately licensed)

Labeling Requirements

  • ✓Name and home address of the producer
  • ✓Product name
  • ✓Complete ingredient list
  • ✓Allergen disclosure
  • ✓Net weight or net volume
  • ✓Statement: 'Made in a home kitchen that is not inspected by the state or local health department'
  • ✓Registration number issued by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture

Starting a Home Bakery in Nebraska

Once you understand the cottage food rules, most Nebraska home bakers focus on three things:

  • →Pricing recipes so they are profitable
  • →Creating compliant labels
  • →Managing orders and preorders

endvr helps Nebraska bakers do all three in one place.

Tools for Nebraska Cottage Food Bakers

Create compliant labels in seconds

endvr's label maker automatically includes the Nebraska required disclaimer and allergen labeling — so your labels are always inspection-ready.

Download on the App StoreOr sign up on web →

Common Questions Nebraska Bakers Ask

Can I sell baked goods from home in Nebraska?+
Yes. Nebraska's cottage food law permits individuals to produce and sell certain non-potentially-hazardous foods from their home kitchen directly to consumers without a commercial kitchen license.
Do I need a permit to sell cottage food in Nebraska?+
No permit is required in Nebraska to sell cottage food products, though you must still comply with labeling requirements and sales restrictions.
How much can I earn selling cottage food in Nebraska?+
Nebraska cottage food producers may earn up to $20,000 per year from direct sales. Sales above this limit may require a commercial food license.
Can I take orders online in Nebraska?+
Nebraska does not permit online sales of cottage food products under the cottage food law. Sales must be conducted in person through direct transactions.
Can I ship cottage food products in Nebraska?+
No. Nebraska does not allow shipping of cottage food products. Sales must be completed through direct, in-person transactions with the consumer.
What foods can I sell from home in Nebraska?+
Under Nebraska's cottage food law, permitted products include Baked goods (breads, cookies, cakes, muffins, pastries), Jams, jellies, and preserves, Candies and confections, Dried herbs and herb blends, Roasted nuts, Honey and others. Generally, any food that does not require refrigeration for safety qualifies. Foods with cream, custard, or meat fillings are typically not allowed.
What labeling is required to sell cottage food in Nebraska?+
Nebraska requires cottage food labels to include: Name and home address of the producer; Product name; Complete ingredient list; Allergen disclosure.

Common Nebraska cottage food questions

→ Can I sell cottage food online in Nebraska?→ Can I ship cottage food in Nebraska?→ What is Nebraska's cottage food sales limit?→ What are Nebraska's labeling requirements?→ Can I use cream cheese frosting in Nebraska?

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