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Cottage food laws

Kentucky Cottage Food Law

Can you sell homemade food from your home kitchen in Kentucky? 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
Home-Based Processor / Home-Based Microprocessor
Annual sales cap
$60,000 (both paths)
Where you can sell
Processor: Direct/in-person, farmers markets, homeMicroprocessor: farm, KY-registered farmers market, certified roadside stand only
Registration / to start
Register with health department ($50); food-safety training ($50). Microprocessor also needs recipe approval ($5/recipe)
Allowed foods
Processor: non-perishable foods. Microprocessor (must grow primary ingredient): acidified foods, non-fruit/low-sugar jams, low-acid canned goods
Not allowed
TCS/refrigerated foods beyond program scope; interstate sales
When you need a commercial / commissary kitchen
Exceeding $60,000, selling wholesale, or interstate requires a licensed kitchen
Administered by
KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Dept for Public Health, Food Safety Branch · KRS 217.136 (Processor); KRS 217.137 (Microprocessor)

Source: KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Dept for Public Health, Food Safety Branch. Cottage food laws change often — confirm current rules before selling.

Good to know

Two pathways both capped at $60,000/yr; microprocessor pathway is for farmers canning acidified/low-acid foods and requires recipe approval.

Outgrowing cottage food? When you need a licensed kitchen, see Kentucky 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 Kentucky?
Yes. Kentucky has a cottage food framework (Home-Based Processor / Home-Based Microprocessor) that lets individuals make and sell certain non-hazardous foods from a home kitchen. Annual sales are capped at $60,000 (both paths). You still must follow the state's rules on allowed foods, labeling, and where you can sell. Administered by KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Dept for Public Health, Food Safety Branch.
What foods can I sell under Kentucky's cottage food law?
Processor: non-perishable foods. Microprocessor (must grow primary ingredient): acidified foods, non-fruit/low-sugar jams, low-acid canned goods Not allowed: TCS/refrigerated foods beyond program scope; interstate sales
When do I need a commercial or commissary kitchen in Kentucky?
Exceeding $60,000, selling wholesale, or interstate 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 Kentucky?
Register with health department ($50); food-safety training ($50). Microprocessor also needs recipe approval ($5/recipe)
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