Where are you right now?
Ten stages, same simple layout each time: what to know, what to do, the tool that makes it easier, and where to get extra help.
Understand Florida cottage food law
Required by Florida lawWhat to know
Florida's cottage food law (Statute 500.80) lets you make and sell certain non-perishable foods from your home kitchen, directly to customers, with no state license. You can earn up to $250,000 in gross sales per year.
What to do
- Confirm you will make non-perishable, shelf-stable foods
- Sell direct to customers, not wholesale to stores or restaurants
- Keep total sales under the $250,000 annual cap
- Know there is no routine inspection, though FDACS may inspect after a complaint
Choose what you'll sell
Required by Florida lawWhat to know
You can sell shelf-stable foods that do not need refrigeration: most baked goods, candies, jams, honey, granola, and dry mixes. Foods that need refrigeration (meats, cream pies, cheesecakes, most dairy) are not allowed.
What to do
- List a few products you love to make
- Check each one with the free Can I Sell This? tool
- Favor items with good margins and real local demand
- Avoid anything that needs refrigeration to stay safe
Learn food safety
Recommended practiceWhat to know
Food safety training is not required for cottage food in Florida, but good habits protect your customers and your reputation, and trust is what earns repeat orders.
What to do
- Wash hands and sanitize surfaces before every batch
- Prevent cross-contamination and label allergens clearly
- Store ingredients and finished goods properly
- Consider a short class made for cottage food makers
Create your labels
Required by Florida lawWhat to know
Every product you sell needs a label with the elements required under Statute 500.80. Our free generator lays them out for you; you confirm the details are accurate before selling.
What to do
- Add your business name and address and the product name
- List ingredients in order, declare allergens, and show net weight
- Add the required cottage food disclosure statement
- Review the final label before you sell
Price for profit
Recommended practiceWhat to know
Most new makers underprice. Price to cover ingredients, packaging, your time, and fees, and still leave a real profit, not just to break even.
What to do
- Add up ingredient, packaging, and per-unit costs
- Include your time and any market or platform fees
- Set a margin that pays you fairly
- Recheck prices when ingredient costs change
Set up your business
Recommended practiceWhat to know
You can start as a sole proprietor for free today, or form an LLC to protect your personal assets. Some cities and counties require a local Business Tax Receipt, so check yours.
What to do
- Decide: sole proprietor now, or an LLC for protection
- Check whether your city or county requires a Business Tax Receipt
- Open a separate bank account for the business
- Consider liability insurance, often required at markets
Choose how you'll sell
Recommended practiceWhat to know
You can sell at farmers markets and events, from home pickup, and online with shipping or delivery within Florida. Most makers mix two or three channels.
What to do
- Pick your starting channels (markets, pickup, online)
- Set clear pickup times and locations
- Take preorders so you never oversell your kitchen
- Give customers a simple way to order and pay
Launch your business
Recommended practiceWhat to know
Pick a launch date and work backward. A small, organized first launch beats waiting for everything to be perfect.
What to do
- Set a launch date and a first product menu
- Do a test batch and photograph your products
- Announce to friends, family, and local groups
- Take your first orders and deliver on time
Get found and grow
Recommended practiceWhat to know
List your business free on Florida Cottage Foods so local customers searching for makers can find you. Then grow with photos, reviews, social media, and boosted placement.
What to do
- Create your free maker profile and add real photos
- Ask happy customers for reviews
- Post consistently on social media
- Consider a paid plan for higher placement and featured spots
Approaching $250K: what comes next?
Optional / when you growWhat to know
Cottage food is capped at $250,000 in gross sales per year, and all your cottage food sales count toward it. As you approach the cap, start planning your next stage so growth never stalls.
What to do
- Track your sales so you know where you stand against the cap
- Learn the paths beyond cottage food (licensed kitchen, wholesale)
- Talk to a tax or business professional about your structure
- Plan before you hit the limit, not after
Ready to get discovered?
You have the roadmap. Now get your business in front of local customers who are searching for makers like you.