The Short Answer: Yes, You Can!
Under Florida Statute 500.80, you can legally sell homemade food directly to consumers from your home kitchen. Florida's cottage food law is one of the most favorable in the entire United States.
What You Can Sell From Home in Florida
Florida's cottage food law allows you to sell non-potentially hazardous foods — meaning shelf-stable items that do not require refrigeration to stay safe. This covers a wide range of products that many home bakers and food makers already know how to prepare.
Here are some of the most popular items Florida cottage food makers sell:
The general rule of thumb: if it can safely sit on your kitchen counter at room temperature without spoiling, it is likely allowed. If you want to start a home bakery in Florida, baked goods like cookies, breads, and cakes are the most common and easiest products to begin with.
Want the full list? See our complete Florida Cottage Food Allowed Foods List or use the “Can I Sell This?” tool to check a specific product instantly.
What You Cannot Sell From Home
Foods that require refrigeration or time/temperature control are not allowed under the cottage food law. These are considered “potentially hazardous” and require commercial food safety oversight:
Important: All cottage food sales must be direct to the end consumer. You cannot sell wholesale to restaurants, grocery stores, or retailers. No resale is permitted under the cottage food exemption.
Do You Need a License or Permit to Sell Food From Home in Florida?
No. This is one of the most common questions people ask, and the answer is refreshingly simple. Under Florida's cottage food law, you do not need:
No state food license from the Florida Department of Agriculture (FDACS)
No cottage food permit — this permit does not exist in Florida, despite what some websites claim
No health department inspection of your home kitchen
No commercial kitchen — cook in your own home kitchen
No registration with any state or county food agency
Addressing the “Cottage Food Permit” Misconception
If you have been searching for a “cottage food permit in Florida,” you may have found confusing or misleading information from out-of-state websites. There is no cottage food permit in Florida. Some states do require permits, but Florida is not one of them. You can start selling as soon as your products and labels meet the requirements.
One thing you may need: Some Florida counties require a standard local business tax receipt (sometimes called an occupational license) for any home-based business. This is not specific to food — it applies to all businesses. Check with your county tax collector to see if this applies to you. The cost is typically $25-$50 per year.
For a deeper dive into the legal framework, see our comprehensive Florida Cottage Food Law guide or the License Requirements page.
Do You Need Food Safety Training?
Not legally. Florida Statute 500.80 does not require cottage food makers to complete a food safety course, obtain a food manager certification, or hold a food handler card.
That said, food safety training is highly recommended for several practical reasons:
- -Customer confidence: Customers are more likely to buy from someone who can demonstrate food safety knowledge.
- -Market requirements: Some farmers markets and events independently require vendors to hold a food handler certificate.
- -Liability protection: Demonstrating food safety knowledge can help protect you in the unlikely event of a complaint.
- -Personal knowledge: Understanding proper handling, allergen management, and storage practices keeps your customers safe.
Basic food handler courses are available online for $10-$15 and can usually be completed in 1-2 hours. It is a small investment that can pay off significantly in credibility and peace of mind.
Labeling Requirements for Home-Made Food in Florida
While you do not need a license, you do need to properly label every product you sell. Florida law requires your cottage food labels to include these seven elements:
- 1
Business name and address
Your cottage food operation name and your physical home address (P.O. boxes are not accepted).
- 2
Product name
The common or descriptive name (e.g., "Chocolate Chip Cookies" or "Strawberry Jam").
- 3
Ingredients list
All ingredients listed in descending order by weight, including sub-ingredients.
- 4
Net weight or volume
The net quantity of the product (e.g., "Net Wt. 8 oz" or "Net Wt. 227g").
- 5
Allergen statement
Must declare the presence of all major allergens: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame.
- 6
Nutrition facts (if making claims)
Only required if you make nutritional claims like "low-fat," "sugar-free," or "high-protein."
- 7
Cottage food disclaimer
The exact statement required by law (see below).
Required Disclaimer (must be in 10-point type or larger):
“Made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to Florida's food safety regulations.”
Make labeling easy: Use our free Florida Cottage Food Label Generator to create compliant labels in minutes. For a detailed walkthrough, read the Product Labeling Guide.
Where Can You Sell Food From Home in Florida?
Florida's cottage food law gives you plenty of options for where and how to sell your homemade products. All sales must be direct to the end consumer (no wholesale or resale), but within that rule, you have wide flexibility:
From your home
Customers can pick up orders directly from your kitchen. Many cottage food makers take orders through social media and text messages.
Farmers markets and flea markets
One of the most popular and profitable sales channels. Great for building a customer base and getting direct feedback.
Craft fairs and community events
Holiday markets, church bazaars, school events, and local festivals are excellent venues.
Online (within Florida)
Since the 2021 Home Sweet Home Act, you can sell through your own website, Facebook, Instagram, Etsy, and other platforms. Delivery and shipping within Florida are both allowed.
Roadside stands
Set up a table or stand in front of your home or at a permitted location.
No interstate sales. You cannot ship or sell cottage food outside of Florida. Interstate commerce falls under federal FDA regulation and is not covered by the state cottage food exemption.
How to Start Selling Food From Home in Florida (5 Steps)
Getting started is easier than you might think. Here is a simple five-step roadmap to go from idea to first sale:
Choose your products
Pick 2-3 items from the allowed foods list that you make well and that people already love. Baked goods like cookies, breads, and brownies are the most popular starting points for Florida cottage food makers.
Create compliant labels
Design labels that include all seven required elements. Our free label generator makes this easy — you just fill in your details and print.
Set your prices
Calculate your ingredient costs, packaging costs, and time. A good starting rule is to charge at least 3x your ingredient cost. Research what similar products sell for at local farmers markets.
Choose your sales channels
Start with one or two channels — a local farmers market and social media orders are a great combination. You can expand to online sales, craft fairs, and delivery as you grow.
Start selling and track your income
Keep detailed records of all revenue for tax purposes and to ensure you stay under the $250,000 annual limit. Consider setting up a separate bank account for your food business.
For a more detailed walkthrough, read our full How to Sell Food From Home guide and the Florida Cottage Food Law page for the complete legal details.
How Much Can You Make Selling Food From Home in Florida?
Florida allows cottage food makers to earn up to $250,000 in gross annual revenue. This is one of the highest cottage food sales limits in the entire United States, thanks to the Home Sweet Home Act that took effect on July 1, 2021 (which raised the limit from $50,000).
What you actually earn depends on your products, pricing, and how much time you invest. Here is a realistic range based on what Florida cottage food makers report:
Part-Time / Side Hustle
$500 - $2,000
per month
Consistent Effort
$2,000 - $5,000
per month
Full-Time Operation
$5,000 - $20,000+
per month
The key factors that determine income are: product margins, sales volume, number of sales channels, and repeat customer rate. Many successful cottage food makers report that custom orders (birthday cakes, event cookies, holiday gifts) generate the highest per-order revenue.
Learn more in our Cottage Food Income Guide and Pricing Strategy Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Food From Home in Florida
Do I need a cottage food permit in Florida?
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No. Florida does not require a cottage food permit, license, or registration. Under Florida Statute 500.80, cottage food operations are completely exempt from state food licensing and inspection requirements. The phrase "cottage food permit" is a common misconception — no such permit exists in Florida.
Can I sell food from my apartment in Florida?
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Yes. The Florida cottage food law applies to any residential dwelling, including apartments, condos, townhomes, and mobile homes. However, you should check your lease agreement or HOA rules, as some landlords or associations may have restrictions on running a business from your unit.
Do I need insurance to sell food from home in Florida?
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Insurance is not legally required under the Florida cottage food law. However, it is strongly recommended. General liability and product liability insurance can protect you if a customer has an allergic reaction or other issue. Many policies for cottage food businesses start at $200-$400 per year.
Can I sell food online from home in Florida?
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Yes. Since the 2021 Home Sweet Home Act, Florida cottage food makers can sell online and accept orders through websites, social media, and online marketplaces. You can deliver products or ship them via USPS or commercial carriers, but only within Florida. Interstate online sales are not permitted.
Can I sell food at a farmers market without a license in Florida?
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Yes. Cottage food operators can sell at farmers markets, flea markets, craft fairs, and roadside stands without any state license or permit. Individual market organizers may have their own vendor requirements (like a food safety certificate), so check with each market beforehand.
Do I need a commercial kitchen to sell food in Florida?
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No. One of the biggest advantages of the Florida cottage food law is that you can prepare and sell food directly from your home kitchen. There is no requirement for a commercial kitchen, and the state will not inspect your home kitchen.
Can I sell homemade dog treats in Florida?
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It depends on the ingredients. Non-meat dog treats made from ingredients like flour, peanut butter, oats, and pumpkin are generally allowed under the cottage food law. However, pet treats containing meat, poultry, fish, or animal by-products are not covered and would require a separate license.
What happens if I sell more than $250,000?
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If your gross annual sales exceed $250,000, you must transition to a licensed food establishment. This means obtaining a food establishment permit from FDACS, using a commercial kitchen that passes health inspections, and complying with all standard food safety regulations. Many successful cottage food makers plan for this transition as their business grows.
Can I sell cakes with cream cheese frosting from home in Florida?
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No. Cream cheese frosting requires refrigeration, making it a potentially hazardous food that is not allowed under the cottage food law. You can sell cakes with buttercream, royal icing, fondant, and other shelf-stable frostings. If you want to sell cakes with cream cheese or custard-based frostings, you would need a licensed commercial kitchen.
Do I need to collect sales tax on cottage food in Florida?
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Most cottage food products in Florida are exempt from sales tax because food for home consumption is generally not taxable. However, if you sell items that could be classified as prepared food (eaten on the premises), sales tax may apply. Consult the Florida Department of Revenue or a tax professional for your specific situation.
Ready to Start Selling?
Get listed on Florida Cottage Foods and connect with local customers looking for homemade food in your area. It's the easiest way to get found online.
Related Resources
Florida Cottage Food Law (Complete Guide)
The full legal breakdown of Statute 500.80 and everything it covers.
How to Sell Food From Home
Step-by-step guide to launching your home food business.
Product Labeling Guide
Examples and templates for creating compliant cottage food labels.
Free Label Generator
Create compliant labels in minutes with no design skills needed.
Allowed Foods List
Full list of every food you can legally sell from home in Florida.
Pricing Strategy Guide
How to price your cottage food products for maximum profit.