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Cottage food laws

Arkansas Cottage Food Law

Can you sell homemade food from your home kitchen in Arkansas? Here are the sales cap, allowed foods, where you can sell, and the point where you must move into a licensed commercial kitchen.
Educational summary, not legal advice — cottage food rules change; confirm with the state before you sell.
Program
Food Freedom Act (replaced Cottage Food Law)
Annual sales cap
No cap
Where you can sell
Direct/in-personFarmers marketsHome pickupOnline (in-state)Events
Registration / to start
None (no permit/license from Dept of Health); labeling required
Allowed foods
Non-TCS baked goods, candies, full-sugar jams/jellies, pickles, some salsas/sauces and acidified/fermented beverages by pH
Not allowed
TCS/refrigerated foods, meat products, interstate sales
When you need a commercial / commissary kitchen
Selling TCS foods, wholesale, or shipping out of state requires a licensed kitchen
Administered by
Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) · Ark. Food Freedom Act (2021)

Source: Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). Cottage food laws change often — confirm current rules before selling.

Good to know

Food Freedom Act effective July 28, 2021; online (in-state) sales now permitted; no cap and no permit.

Outgrowing cottage food? When you need a licensed kitchen, see Arkansas food-business requirements, estimate the build with the cost-to-open calculator, and check whether you need a hood.

Frequently asked

Can I sell homemade food in Arkansas?
Yes. Arkansas has a cottage food framework (Food Freedom Act (replaced Cottage Food Law)) that lets individuals make and sell certain non-hazardous foods from a home kitchen. There is no sales cap. You still must follow the state's rules on allowed foods, labeling, and where you can sell. Administered by Arkansas Department of Health (ADH).
What foods can I sell under Arkansas's cottage food law?
Non-TCS baked goods, candies, full-sugar jams/jellies, pickles, some salsas/sauces and acidified/fermented beverages by pH Not allowed: TCS/refrigerated foods, meat products, interstate sales
When do I need a commercial or commissary kitchen in Arkansas?
Selling TCS foods, wholesale, or shipping out of state requires a licensed kitchen At that point, see the requirements and permit fees for your area.
Do I need a license or registration for cottage food in Arkansas?
None (no permit/license from Dept of Health); labeling required
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