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Cottage food laws · NJ
Selling homemade food in New Jersey
New Jersey was the last state in the country to legalize cottage food, but it's now workable: get a $100 permit from the state, keep gross sales under $50,000/year, and you can take orders online as long as you personally hand off the food - no shipping.
Program
New Jersey Cottage Food Operator Law
Registration
Cottage Food Operator Permit from NJ Dept of Health ($100 fee, 2-year term)
Annual sales cap
$50,000 (gross annual)
Online sales
Allowed (see notes)
You can sell
- Baked goods
- Jams, jellies, preserves
- Candy
- Dried herbs & mixes
- Granola and snack mixes
You can't sell
- Potentially hazardous foods needing refrigeration
- Meat and poultry products
- Low-acid canned vegetables
Where you can sell
- Direct to consumer at home
- Farmers markets
- Online ordering with in-person pickup/delivery
Selling online
Online ordering is allowed, but products must be handed to the customer in person - no mail, no common-carrier shipping, and no sales across state lines
What your labels must include
- Producer name & address
- "Made in a home kitchen that is not inspected by the state" statement
- Ingredient list
- Allergen disclosure
- Net weight