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Tennessee's Cottage Food Law

Tennessee's Home Bakery Law allows individuals to produce and sell certain low-risk foods made in a private residential kitchen. The law applies to home-based operators who produce baked goods, jams, jellies, and other non-potentially-hazardous foods. You don't need a commercial kitchen, and your home doesn't have to pass a government inspection to qualify. The law is designed for small-scale producers selling directly to end consumers.

You can sell your products at farmers markets, roadside stands, fairs, and other in-person venues where you're selling directly to the buyer. Online sales are not permitted under Tennessee's cottage food law, and you cannot ship products to customers. All sales must be face-to-face transactions. There's no provision for third-party retailers or wholesale arrangements, so your sales channel is limited to direct consumer contact.

Tennessee caps cottage food revenue at $25,000 per year in gross sales. No permit, license, or registration is required before you start selling. One notable feature is that the law requires a specific disclaimer on your label stating the product was made in a home kitchen not inspected by the state. That transparency requirement is straightforward to meet and keeps you fully compliant as your business grows.

Quick Summary

Tennessee cottage food law allows:

  • •Baked goods (cakes, cookies, breads, pastries, muffins)
  • •Jams, jellies, and preserves
  • •Candies and confections
  • •Honey
  • •Dry goods and mixes
  • •Roasted nuts

Not allowed:

  • •Meat and poultry products
  • •Foods requiring refrigeration to prevent spoilage
  • •Canned low-acid vegetables
  • •Dairy-based products
  • •Custards and cream-filled items
  • •Pickled vegetables (unless exempt under separate rule)

Sales limit: $25,000 per year

Annual Limit

$25,000/year

Permit Required

No

Online Orders

Not Allowed

Shipping

Not Allowed

Permitted Foods

  • ✓Baked goods (cakes, cookies, breads, pastries, muffins)
  • ✓Jams, jellies, and preserves
  • ✓Candies and confections
  • ✓Honey
  • ✓Dry goods and mixes
  • ✓Roasted nuts
  • ✓Fruit pies and cobblers

Prohibited Foods

  • ✗Meat and poultry products
  • ✗Foods requiring refrigeration to prevent spoilage
  • ✗Canned low-acid vegetables
  • ✗Dairy-based products
  • ✗Custards and cream-filled items
  • ✗Pickled vegetables (unless exempt under separate rule)

Labeling Requirements

  • ✓Producer's full name and home address
  • ✓Product name
  • ✓Complete ingredient list
  • ✓Major food allergen disclosure
  • ✓Net weight or net volume
  • ✓Statement that the product was made in a home kitchen not inspected by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture

Starting a Home Bakery in Tennessee

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

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

endvr helps Tennessee bakers do all three in one place.

Tools for Tennessee Cottage Food Bakers

Create compliant labels in seconds

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

Download on the App StoreOr sign up on web →

Common Questions Tennessee Bakers Ask

Can I sell baked goods from home in Tennessee?+
Yes. Tennessee'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 Tennessee?+
No permit is required in Tennessee 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 Tennessee?+
Tennessee cottage food producers may earn up to $25,000 per year from direct sales. Sales above this limit may require a commercial food license.
Can I take orders online in Tennessee?+
Tennessee 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 Tennessee?+
No. Tennessee 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 Tennessee?+
Under Tennessee's cottage food law, permitted products include Baked goods (cakes, cookies, breads, pastries, muffins), Jams, jellies, and preserves, Candies and confections, Honey, Dry goods and mixes, Roasted nuts 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 Tennessee?+
Tennessee requires cottage food labels to include: Producer's full name and home address; Product name; Complete ingredient list; Major food allergen disclosure.

Common Tennessee cottage food questions

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

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