In Florida, you can sell homemade non-perishable foods with no license, no permit, and no inspection, up to $250,000 in gross annual sales — and you can even ship within the state. Florida is one of the most generous states for home food businesses, and this guide covers exactly what you can sell, how to label it, where you can sell it, and how to start this week.
The short version: Florida's cottage food law lets you make and sell non-perishable foods from your home kitchen with no registration or inspection by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). The sales cap is a high $250,000 per year. You can sell directly to customers in person, by mail order, and online — including shipping within Florida. The food must be shelf-stable (non-TCS), and every package needs the required "not subject to Florida's food safety regulations" statement. That's essentially it.
Florida's cottage food sales cap is $250,000 in gross annual sales — one of the highest in the country. There's no per-item or monthly limit, just the annual total. If you exceed it, you'd move to a licensed food establishment.
| Florida cottage food rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual sales cap | $250,000 gross |
| License / permit / registration | None required |
| Inspection | None |
| Allowed foods | Non-perishable (non-TCS) |
| Where you can sell | Direct, online, mail order, by phone/internet — including shipping within Florida |
| Wholesale | Not allowed (direct to consumer only) |
| Label statement | "Made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to Florida's food safety regulations." |
| Governing agency | Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) |
No. Florida cottage food operations require no license, no permit, and no inspection from FDACS. You can start selling shelf-stable homemade foods directly to consumers without any state application or fee. The trade-offs are that you must sell directly to the end consumer (no wholesale), keep products shelf-stable, and label everything correctly.
Florida allows non-perishable (non-TCS) foods that don't require time or temperature control for safety. Commonly sold items include:
Not allowed:
Confirm specifics with FDACS before adding a product.
Every Florida cottage food package must carry a label with:
A simple compliant label might read: *"Sunshine Granola — Made by [Your Operation], [Address]. Ingredients: oats, honey, almonds (contains tree nuts)... Net wt. 12 oz. Made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to Florida's food safety regulations."* See our cottage food labeling guide for templates.
Florida is flexible on direct-to-consumer channels. You can sell:
The one limit: all sales must be direct to the end consumer — no wholesale to stores or restaurants, and the food can't be sold for resale.
Because Florida explicitly allows online and mail-order sales, a real storefront makes selling far easier than tracking orders through DMs and texts. Homegrown gives Florida cottage food sellers an online storefront with built-in payments and pickup or shipping scheduling for $10/month at 0% commission — you keep every dollar except standard card processing. Start a free trial and have a Florida-ready storefront live in about 15 minutes.
Always confirm the current rules with FDACS before adding a product or sales channel.
Florida's $250,000 cap is one of the highest in the country, so for most home bakers and makers the real limit is time and demand, not the law. What you actually earn depends on your products, pricing, and how you sell. A few ways to get the most out of a Florida cottage food business:
Florida's $250,000 cap and legal in-state shipping mean a Florida baker can grow statewide — shipping turns a local following into a Florida-wide one.
Up to $250,000 in gross annual sales — one of the highest caps in the country. There is no monthly or per-product limit.
No. Florida cottage food operations need no license, permit, registration, or inspection from FDACS. You can start selling shelf-stable foods directly to consumers right away.
Non-perishable foods such as breads, cakes, cookies, candies, jams, jellies, honey, dried goods, granola, and popcorn. Foods requiring refrigeration, plus meat and seafood, are not allowed.
Yes. Florida allows online, phone, and mail-order sales, including shipping to customers within Florida. You cannot ship across state lines.
No. All Florida cottage food sales must be direct to the end consumer; wholesale to stores or restaurants isn't allowed.
Your operation's name and address, the product name, ingredients by weight, net weight, allergens, and the statement "Made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to Florida's food safety regulations" in at least 10-point type.
No state registration is required. You may still want a local business tax receipt, but FDACS does not require cottage food operations to register.
Florida combines a $250,000 cap, no license, and online/mail-order sales — one of the friendliest setups in the country for home bakers and makers. Once your labels are right, set up an easy way for customers to order and pay. Set up a Homegrown storefront for Florida cottage food orders with pickup and in-state shipping, then compare the rules in nearby states like Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and Tennessee, or see the full cottage food laws by state hub.
*This guide is general information, not legal advice. Cottage food rules change — verify current requirements with FDACS before you start selling. Last verified: June 2026.*
