Cottage food laws/Kentucky
Moderate

Kentucky cottage food laws

Two paths: Home-Based Processor for shelf-stable foods, Microprocessor for acidified foods.

Kentucky uses two separate cottage food paths. The Home-Based Processor program covers shelf-stable foods like baked goods, candies, and standard jams. The Home-Based Microprocessor program covers acidified foods like pickles, salsas, and low-sugar jams. Both have a $60,000 annual gross sales cap and require registration plus food safety training.

Last verified May 2, 2026•Kentucky Home-Based Processor / Microprocessor (KRS 217.136 / KRS 217.137)
At a glance

Kentucky cottage food, quick facts.

📋
Permit
Registration required (no inspection for standard processors)
💰
Sales cap
$60,000 gross/year
🌐
Online sales
Allowed (delivered in Kentucky)
📦
Shipping in-state
Allowed
✈️
Shipping out-of-state
Not allowed
🎓
Training
Food safety class required (UK Cooperative Extension)
🏠
Inspection
Not routinely required for processors; recipe approval required for microprocessors
How it works

How the Kentucky cottage food law actually works.

Kentucky regulates home food production through two separate programs. The Home-Based Processor program (KRS 217.136) is the standard cottage food path. It covers shelf-stable, non-TCS foods like baked goods, candies, dried foods, and standard jams and jellies. The Home-Based Microprocessor program (KRS 217.137) is a separate path for acidified foods like pickles, salsas, hot sauces, and low-sugar or low-acid jams.

Both paths require registration with the state and a food safety training course. Home-Based Processors must register with the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) Food Safety Branch and complete a food safety class through the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. Home-Based Microprocessors must complete a more detailed Microprocessor workshop offered by UK and have each acidified recipe tested and approved by UK before sale.

Both paths share a $60,000 gross annual sales cap. Sales must be direct to consumers in Kentucky, but the law gives broad flexibility on channels: home pickup, farmers markets, festivals, online orders, and delivery within the state are all allowed. Kentucky does not allow shipping to other states under cottage food law, and wholesale sales to grocery stores or distributors are not permitted.

Most home bakers use the Home-Based Processor path because their products (cookies, breads, frosted cakes without cream cheese, candies) fall comfortably into the non-TCS category and do not need recipe testing.

What you can sell

Allowed and prohibited foods.

✓Allowed
  • Loaf breads, rolls, biscuits, tortillas
  • Cookies, brownies, biscotti, bars
  • Cakes and cupcakes without cream or cream cheese frosting
  • Fruit pies (high-acid fruit only)
  • Candies, fudge, brittle, toffee, chocolates
  • Jams, jellies, preserves, fruit butters (standard, full-sugar)
  • Honey
  • Granola, popcorn, snack mixes
  • Dry baking and seasoning mixes
  • Roasted coffee beans, dried tea blends
  • Roasted or candied nuts
  • Dehydrated fruits and vegetables
✕Prohibited
  • Cheesecakes, cream pies, custard pies, meringue pies
  • Cream cheese frosting and any refrigeration-required frosting
  • Tres leches and any cake requiring refrigeration
  • Meat, poultry, and fish products
  • Acidified foods (pickles, salsas, hot sauces) under the standard Processor path; require Microprocessor approval
  • Low-acid canned foods
  • Beverages requiring refrigeration

Acidified foods like pickles and salsas are not allowed under the Home-Based Processor path. They require the separate Home-Based Microprocessor program with UK recipe approval. Most home bakers stay on the Processor path for the simpler training and registration.

Where you can sell

Sales channels for Kentucky cottage bakers.

🤝
In-person / pickup
Allowed. Pickup at home, farmers markets, fairs, festivals, on-farm sales.
🌐
Online sales
Allowed. Take orders and payment online, deliver or ship within Kentucky.
📦
Shipping in-state
Allowed by USPS or commercial carrier within Kentucky.
✈️
Shipping out-of-state
Not allowed.
🥕
Farmers markets
Allowed without a separate state cottage permit.
🏪
Retail stores
Not allowed. Sales must be direct to consumer.
🍽️
Restaurants
Not allowed.
  • Sales must be to the end consumer in Kentucky.
  • Microprocessors selling acidified foods can also use the same direct-to-consumer channels but with extra recipe and labeling requirements.
  • Local business and sales tax registrations apply.
Labels

Label every product, exactly like this.

01
Name and address of the home-based processing operation
Your business name (or legal name) and address.
02
Common or usual name of the product
For example, "Chocolate Chip Cookies" or "Apricot Jam".
03
Ingredients in descending order by weight
Include sub-ingredients of compound ingredients.
04
Net weight or net volume
In US customary units; metric optional.
05
Allergen information per federal labeling rules
Identify the major allergens: milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame.
06
Date the product was processed
The actual date of production.
07
Required Kentucky disclaimer
Printed in at least 10-point type in a color that contrasts with the background.
Required disclaimer (copy verbatim)
This product is home-produced and processed.
  • Microprocessor products carry additional labeling requirements tied to the approved recipe.
  • Labels must be in English.
  • Confirm format details with the DPH Home-Based Processor labeling guide before printing in bulk.
Sales cap

How much can you earn under Kentucky cottage law?

Both Home-Based Processors and Home-Based Microprocessors are capped at $60,000 in gross annual sales (raised from $35,000 in earlier years). The cap is per individual operator. Crossing the cap means you must transition to a permitted commercial food establishment.

Training

Food safety training in Kentucky

Home-Based Processors must complete a food safety class. The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension offers the recognized class, often free or low-cost. Home-Based Microprocessors must complete a more detailed Home-Based Microprocessor (HBM) workshop (approximately $50) and submit each acidified recipe to UK for approval (approximately $5 per recipe). Keep your training certificate on file.

UK FCS Extension: Home-Based Processing & Microprocessing
Official UK training for both the Processor and Microprocessor paths.
→
UK Food Systems Innovation Center (Microprocessor recipe testing)
Where Home-Based Microprocessors submit acidified recipes for approval.
→
Registration

Registration, permits, and inspections in Kentucky

Home-Based Processors must register with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Department for Public Health (DPH), Food Safety Branch. Registration is renewed annually. Home-Based Microprocessors register through UK's HBM program and must have each recipe tested and approved before sale.

Step-by-step

How to start a cottage bakery in Kentucky.

  1. 01
    Choose your path: Processor or Microprocessor
    Processor covers shelf-stable foods (baked goods, candies, standard jams). Microprocessor covers acidified foods (pickles, salsas, hot sauces). Most bakers use the Processor path.
    Kentucky DPH: Home-Based Processing →
  2. 02
    Complete the required training
    Home-Based Processors complete the UK Cooperative Extension food safety class. Microprocessors complete the HBM workshop.
    UK FCS Extension: Home-Based Processing & Microprocessing →
  3. 03
    Register with DPH
    Submit your Home-Based Processor registration to the DPH Food Safety Branch. Renew annually.
  4. 04
    Build your label template
    Include the operation name and address, product name, ingredients by weight, net quantity, allergens, processing date, and the required "This product is home-produced and processed" disclaimer in 10-point or larger contrasting type.
    DPH Home-Based Processor labeling guide (PDF) →
  5. 05
    Set up your business basics
    Pick a business name, file a DBA at your county clerk if needed, register for a Kentucky sales tax account if you sell taxable items, and confirm zoning and HOA rules.
  6. 06
    Set up Cakery to handle orders
    Cakery gives you a free bakery page at cakerybakeries.com/your-bakery. Add your menu, prices, and pickup or delivery zones, and use one form for every customer request.
    Create a free Cakery page →
  7. 07
    Track gross sales toward the $60,000 cap
    Keep clean ledgers from day one. If you approach the cap, plan a transition to a permitted commercial kitchen.
Worth knowing

A few things Kentucky bakers should know.

  • Kentucky uses two separate paths: Home-Based Processor (shelf-stable) and Home-Based Microprocessor (acidified). Microprocessors must have each recipe tested and approved.
  • Both paths share a $60,000 gross annual sales cap.
  • Out-of-state shipping is not allowed under either path.
  • Wholesale to grocery stores or restaurants is not allowed; sales must be direct to consumer.
  • Local business and sales tax registrations apply even though the cottage path waives the commercial food establishment permit.
Resources

Bookmark these for Kentucky baking.

Official agency resources

Kentucky DPH: Home-Based Processing
DPH Food Safety Branch hub for the Home-Based Processor program.
→
DPH Home-Based Processor labeling guide (PDF)
Official labeling guide with required elements and the home-produced disclaimer.
→
UK FCS Extension: Home-Based Processing & Microprocessing
University of Kentucky's official training and resource page for both Processor and Microprocessor paths.
→
Kentucky Department of Agriculture: Cottage Foods
KDA's overview page on home-based food production in Kentucky.
→

Statute and rules text

KRS 217.136 (Home-based processors)
→
KRS 217.137 (Home-based microprocessors)
→

Helpful resources for bakers

Forrager: Kentucky Home-Based Processor guide
Plain-English Kentucky overview kept current by Forrager.
→
Forrager: Kentucky Microprocessor guide
Forrager's deeper dive on the acidified-foods path.
→
Institute for Justice: Selling Homemade Food in Kentucky
IJ's policy snapshot for Kentucky cottage food.
→
Kentucky Cottage Food Bakers (Facebook group)
Active community of Kentucky home bakers and cottage producers.
→
Cakery Pricing Guide for Cottage Bakers
How Cakery handles your storefront, orders, and customer leads.
→
FAQ

Kentucky cottage food FAQ.

Do Kentucky home bakers need to register with the state?
Yes. Home-Based Processors must register with the DPH Food Safety Branch and renew annually. Home-Based Microprocessors register through the UK HBM program.
Is there a sales cap?
Yes. Both Home-Based Processors and Microprocessors are capped at $60,000 in gross annual sales.
Do I need food safety training?
Yes. Home-Based Processors take the UK Cooperative Extension food safety class. Microprocessors take a more detailed HBM workshop and have each recipe approved.
Can I sell online and ship in Kentucky?
Yes, within Kentucky. Out-of-state shipping is not allowed under the cottage exemption.
Can I sell to grocery stores or restaurants?
No. Sales must be direct to the end consumer. Wholesale and resale through retailers are not allowed under cottage food law.
Can I sell pickles, salsas, or hot sauces?
Yes, but only under the Home-Based Microprocessor path with UK recipe approval. They are not allowed under the standard Processor path.
What is the required label disclaimer?
This product is home-produced and processed. The text must be in at least 10-point type in a contrasting color, alongside the operation name and address, ingredients by weight, net quantity, allergens, and processing date.
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Last verified May 2, 2026. This page is a plain-English summary of Kentucky cottage food laws and is not legal advice. Cottage food rules change, and local health departments often add their own requirements. Always confirm the current rules with the Kentucky agency listed in the official resources above before you sell, ship, or label a product.