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Cottage food laws

Nebraska Cottage Food Law

Can you sell homemade food from your home kitchen in Nebraska? 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
Cottage Food
Annual sales cap
No cap
Where you can sell
Direct/in-personFarmers marketsHome pickupOnline (in-state)
Registration / to start
Free registration with Nebraska Dept of Agriculture; food-safety/handling course required
Allowed foods
Non-TCS baked goods, candies, popcorn/kettle corn, granola, trail mix; plus certain TCS baked goods (cheesecakes, cream pies, cream-filled pastries, cheese danishes) added by LB 262 (2024)
Not allowed
Raw milk / Grade A milk products (milk, cream, sour cream, yogurt); other TCS foods outside allowed list
When you need a commercial / commissary kitchen
Selling milk products, unapproved TCS foods, wholesale, or interstate requires a licensed kitchen
Administered by
Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) · Neb. Pure Food Act; LB 232 / LB 262 (2024)

Source: Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA). Cottage food laws change often — confirm current rules before selling.

Good to know

2024 amendments (LB 232/262) expanded allowed foods to include some refrigerated baked goods and added free online registration and a food-safety course requirement.

Outgrowing cottage food? When you need a licensed kitchen, see Nebraska 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 Nebraska?
Yes. Nebraska has a cottage food framework (Cottage Food) 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 Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA).
What foods can I sell under Nebraska's cottage food law?
Non-TCS baked goods, candies, popcorn/kettle corn, granola, trail mix; plus certain TCS baked goods (cheesecakes, cream pies, cream-filled pastries, cheese danishes) added by LB 262 (2024) Not allowed: Raw milk / Grade A milk products (milk, cream, sour cream, yogurt); other TCS foods outside allowed list
When do I need a commercial or commissary kitchen in Nebraska?
Selling milk products, unapproved TCS foods, 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 Nebraska?
Free registration with Nebraska Dept of Agriculture; food-safety/handling course required
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