Cottage Foods

Under the Cottage Food Law, specific types of foods can be made in an unlicensed home kitchen and sold directly to customers. 

Important information on the Cottage Food Law:

  • Not all foods can be made and sold as Cottage Foods. Cottage foods must be shelf-stable, meaning they are non-potentially hazardous foods that do not require time and/or temperature controls for safety (do not require refrigeration).
  • Cottage Foods must be directly sold to customers at farmers markets, farm markets, roadside stands or other face-to-face markets. 
  • Cottage Foods can't be sold to retail stores, restaurants, over the internet, by mail order, or to wholesalers, brokers, or other food distributors who resell foods.
  • Cottage Foods must be labeled in a specific way, and include the statement, "Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development."
  • The amount of money you can make selling Cottage Foods is currently limited to gross sales of $25,000 per year. 

Foods that can be made and sold under the Cottage Food Law

  • Breads
  • Baked goods
  • Cookies
  • Cakes, including celebration cakes (birthday, anniversary, wedding)
  • Quick breads and muffins (e.g., pumpkin or zucchini bread, blueberry muffins)
  • Cooked fruit pies, including pie crusts made with butter, lard, or shortening
  • Fruit jams and jellies (as defined in 21 CFR part 150) in glass jars that can be stored at room temperature (except vegetable and other non-fruit based jams/jellies)
  • Confections and candies (made without alcohol)
  • Granola
  • Dry herbs and dry herb mixtures
  • Dry baking mixes
  • Dry dip mixes
  • Dry soup mixes
  • Dehydrated vegetables or fruits
  • Popcorn
  • Cotton Candy
  • Non-potentially hazardous dry bulk mixes sold wholesale can be repackaged into a Cottage Food product. Similar items already packaged and labeled for retail sale cannot be repackaged and/or relabeled.
  • Chocolate covered pretzels, marshmallows, graham crackers, Rice Krispies treats, strawberries, pineapple, bananas, or other non-TCS foods
  • Coated or uncoated nuts
  • Dried pasta made with or without eggs
  • Roasted coffee beans or ground roasted coffee
  • Vinegar and flavored vinegars

Foods that cannot be made and sold under the Cottage Food Law

  • Meat and meat products like fresh and dried meats (jerky)
  • Fish and fish products like smoked fish
  • Raw seed sprouts
  • Vegetable jams/jellies (e.g., hot pepper jelly)
  • Canned fruits or vegetables like salsa or canned peaches
  • Canned fruit or vegetable butters like pumpkin or apple butter
  • Canned pickled products like corn relish, pickles, or sauerkraut
  • Pies or cakes that require refrigeration to assure safety like banana cream, pumpkin, lemon meringue or custard pies; cheesecake; and cakes with glaze or frosting that requires refrigeration (e.g., cream cheese frosting)
  • Milk and dairy products like cheese or yogurt
  • Cut melons
  • Caramel apples
  • Hummus
  • Garlic in oil mixtures
  • All beverages, including fruit/vegetable juices, Kombucha tea, and apple cider
  • Ice and ice products
  • Cut tomatoes or chopped/shredded leafy greens
  • Confections that contain alcohol, like truffles or liqueur-filled chocolates
  • Focaccia style breads with fresh vegetables and/or cheeses
  • Food products made from fresh cut tomatoes, cut melons or cut leafy greens
  • Food products made with cooked vegetable products that are not canned
  • Sauces and condiments, including barbeque sauce, hot sauce, ketchup, or mustard
  • Salad dressings
  • Pet food or treats (A commercial feed license is required to make in a home kitchen)

For more information and specific Cottage Food requirements, please visit: www.michigan.gov/cottagefood