In Nebraska, the updated cottage food law (effective July 2024) is one of the most permissive in the country: no sales cap, free online registration, in-state shipping, and — unusually — you can now sell refrigerated/TCS foods like cheesecake and buttercream. This guide covers exactly what you can sell, how to register, how to label it, and how to start.
The short version: Nebraska removed the cap and expanded the allowed list. Registration is free and takes minutes online. There's no sales cap, you can ship within Nebraska, and the law now permits TCS (refrigerated) foods such as cheesecakes, buttercream frosting, sauces, salsa, and refrigerated pickles. If you sell anywhere other than farmers markets (online, home pickup, events, shipping), you need an accredited food-safety course. Every label needs the "home kitchen... not subject to state licensure or inspection" statement.
No. Nebraska has no revenue cap — one of the most permissive states in this regard.
| Nebraska rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual sales cap | None |
| Registration | Free, online, takes minutes |
| Food-safety training | Not needed if farmers-market only; required for all other channels |
| Allowed foods | Non-TCS and TCS (cheesecake, buttercream, salsa, refrigerated pickles) |
| Where you can sell | Direct, online, home pickup, events; in-state shipping allowed |
| Label statement | "This product was produced in a home kitchen that is not subject to state licensure or inspection." |
| Effective | New law, July 2024 |
You must register (it's free and done online in minutes), but there's no license fee. Food-safety training depends on how you sell:
That makes Nebraska easy to enter while scaling requirements to how broadly you sell.
Since July 2024, Nebraska allows both non-perishable foods and many TCS (time/temperature-controlled) foods. Commonly sold items include:
This is a major expansion that puts Nebraska among the most inclusive states. Because TCS foods require refrigeration, safe handling matters throughout. Confirm specifics with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.
Nebraska labels must include:
A simple compliant label might read: *"Cornhusker Cheesecake — [Your Name]. Ingredients: cream cheese, sugar, eggs, graham crust (contains wheat, egg, milk). Keep refrigerated. This product was produced in a home kitchen that is not subject to state licensure or inspection."* See our cottage food labeling guide for templates.
Nebraska is flexible. You can sell:
Selling outside farmers markets triggers the food-safety course requirement, and because TCS foods are allowed, proper refrigeration and handling matter.
Because Nebraska allows online sales and in-state shipping with no cap, a real storefront helps you take orders and manage pickup/shipping without living in your DMs. Homegrown gives Nebraska sellers an online storefront with built-in payments and pickup scheduling for $10/month at 0% commission — you keep every dollar except standard card processing. Start a free trial and have a Nebraska-ready storefront live in about 15 minutes.
With no cap and one of the broadest allowed lists in the country, Nebraska doesn't limit your income — your ceiling is demand and capacity. Because TCS foods and in-state shipping are allowed, Nebraska sellers have unusually strong options. A few ways to get the most out of it:
Because Nebraska now allows both TCS foods and in-state shipping, the sellers who do best treat their kitchens like small production businesses — a tight menu of high-demand items, a reliable weekly rhythm, and a shipping option for customers across the state. Reinvesting early profits into refrigeration, packaging, and better equipment pays off quickly when there's no cap holding you back.
Nebraska's 2024 TCS allowance plus in-state shipping means cheesecakes and buttercream cakes — premium, event-driven products — can now ship across the state.
Cottage food rules cover food safety, not the business side, and the specifics differ by state. For Nebraska: Nebraska charges state and local sales tax; register with the Department of Revenue and confirm whether your products are taxable. A few more steps worth handling before you grow:
None of these are part of the cottage food registration itself, but handling them early keeps your business clean as it scales.
The change moved Nebraska from a baked-goods-focused law to one of the broadest in the country. Always confirm the current allowed-food list with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.
No. Nebraska's updated law has no revenue cap.
You must register (free, online), but there's no license fee. A food-safety course is required for all channels except farmers-market-only sales.
Yes. Since July 2024, Nebraska allows TCS foods like cheesecake, buttercream frosting, salsa, and refrigerated pickles, with proper handling.
Yes, within Nebraska. You can also sell online, at events, and by home pickup.
Product name, your information, ingredients, allergens, and the statement "This product was produced in a home kitchen that is not subject to state licensure or inspection."
Only if you sell beyond farmers markets. Farmers-market-only sellers don't need it; online, pickup, event, and shipping sellers must complete an accredited course.
Yes, but it's free and takes minutes online. There's no license fee and no sales cap.
Confirm renewal specifics with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture; registration is free, and the main ongoing requirement is keeping your food-safety certification current if it applies to your channels.
With no cap, free registration, in-state shipping, and TCS foods allowed, Nebraska is one of the best states to start. Set up a Homegrown storefront for Nebraska orders with pickup and in-state shipping, then compare the rules in nearby states like Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota, and Colorado, 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 the Nebraska Department of Agriculture before selling. Last verified: June 2026.*
