Have your friends and family been telling you that you should sell your delicious cookies or tasty jam? Or perhaps you are thinking about digging up an old family recipe? You are certain if everyone had a chance to taste your prized food or beverage that it would sell like hot cakes. Have you been wondering where to start or what the regulations are for starting out in your own kitchen?
In Florida there is a law called the Florida Cottage Food Law that allows you to make and sell food from your own kitchen and sell to the public. This is great since it helps you test your product and keep costs low by not having to rent a commercial kitchen space until after you’re making over $15,000 per year. That gives you time to sell at local farmer’s markets and grow your company.
What Types of Cottage Foods Can I Produce?
• Popcorn, popcorn balls
What Cottage Foods Are Not Allowed?
• Fresh or dried meat or meat products including jerky
• Canned fruits and vegetables, chutneys,
• vegetable butters and jellies, flavored oils, hummus, garlic dip, salsas etc.
• Fish or shellfish products
• Canned pickled products such as corn relish, pickles, sauerkraut
• Raw seed sprouts
• Bakery goods which require any type of refrigeration such as cream, custard or meringue pies and cakes or pastries with cream
• cheese icings or fillings
• Milk and dairy products including hard, soft and cottage cheeses and yogurt
• Cut fresh fruits and/or vegetables. Juices made from fresh fruits or vegetables
• Ice and/or ice products
• Barbeque sauces, ketchups and/or mustards
• Foccaccia
For more resources, check out our food packaging design guide.