In Tennessee, you can sell homemade foods with no license, no permit, no inspection, and no sales cap under the Food Freedom Act — and the allowed list is broad enough to include cream pies, cheesecakes, pickles, and (since 2025) even some dairy and eggs. It's one of the most permissive home-food laws in the country. This guide covers exactly what you can sell, how to label it, the rules that still apply, and how to start this week.
The short version: The Tennessee Food Freedom Act exempts home-based food from state licensing, permitting, inspection, and most packaging/labeling rules. There's no revenue cap and no production limit. You can sell shelf-stable AND many perishable foods (cream pies, cheesecakes, acidified and canned foods, and as of July 2025, pasteurized dairy and eggs). You can sell online and ship within Tennessee for shelf-stable items; perishable items must be sold in person. Just include the required "private residence... exempt from state licensing" statement on your label.
No. Tennessee imposes no gross-sales cap, no income limit, and no production-volume limit — one of the most permissive frameworks in the U.S.
| Tennessee rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual sales cap | None |
| License / permit / inspection | None (exempt under the Food Freedom Act) |
| Allowed foods | Very broad — shelf-stable and many perishable/TCS foods |
| Where you can sell | Direct, online, in-state shipping (perishables in person) |
| Out-of-state shipping | Not allowed |
| Label statement | "This product was produced at a private residence that is exempt from state licensing and inspection. This product may contain allergens." |
| Governing law | Tennessee Food Freedom Act |
No. Foods produced under the Food Freedom Act are exempt from all state licensing, permitting, inspection, and most packaging and labeling laws — the Department of Agriculture does not issue permits or inspect these kitchens. The only exception is if the Department of Health investigates a reported foodborne illness. In practice, you can start selling today as long as you label honestly.
Tennessee's allowed list is unusually broad. Commonly sold items include:
Perishable (TCS) items are allowed but must be sold in person rather than shipped. Confirm specifics with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
Although the Food Freedom Act waives most labeling laws, you should label products with:
A simple compliant label might read: *"Smoky Mountain Cheesecake — Ingredients: cream cheese, sugar, eggs, graham crust (contains wheat, egg, milk). This product was produced at a private residence that is exempt from state licensing and inspection. This product may contain allergens."* See our cottage food labeling guide for templates.
Tennessee is flexible on channels. You can sell:
Perishable (TCS) items must be sold in person, and out-of-state shipping is not permitted under the Food Freedom Act.
Because Tennessee allows online sales and in-state shipping with no cap, a real storefront helps you take orders and manage pickup/delivery without living in your DMs. Homegrown gives Tennessee 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 Tennessee-ready storefront live in about 15 minutes.
With no cap and one of the broadest allowed lists in the country, Tennessee doesn't limit your income — your ceiling is time, demand, and production capacity. Most successful Tennessee sellers start with one strong channel, build a base of repeat customers, then expand their product range (the law lets you sell almost anything). A few ways to get the most out of it:
Tennessee's Food Freedom breadth — cream pies, cheesecakes, even dairy and eggs since 2025 — makes perishable specialties a genuine differentiator most states ban.
Combined with no cap and no license, Tennessee remains one of the best states for home food entrepreneurs. Confirm the current allowed-food list with the Department of Agriculture before adding a product.
No. The Food Freedom Act imposes no sales cap, income limit, or production-volume limit.
No. Home foods under the Food Freedom Act are exempt from state licensing, permitting, and inspection. The Department of Agriculture does not issue permits for them.
Yes. Tennessee allows perishable (TCS) items such as cream pies and cheesecakes, but they must be sold in person rather than shipped.
Yes. Online sales are allowed and shelf-stable foods can be shipped within Tennessee. Perishable items must be sold in person, and out-of-state shipping isn't permitted.
Yes, as of July 1, 2025 (HB 130). Pasteurized dairy products like butter, yogurt, hard cheese, and kefir, plus eggs, are now allowed under the Food Freedom Act.
While most labeling laws are waived, include the statement "This product was produced at a private residence that is exempt from state licensing and inspection. This product may contain allergens."
Very little is off-limits, but raw (unpasteurized) milk products fall outside the exemption, and any perishable item can't be shipped — only sold in person. Confirm edge cases with the Department of Agriculture.
No. The Food Freedom Act requires no registration or permit. You may still want a local business license for tax purposes, but the state doesn't require cottage food registration.
Tennessee's Food Freedom Act — no license, no cap, and one of the broadest allowed-food lists in the country — makes it one of the easiest places to start. Once your labels carry the required statement, the next step is making it easy for customers to order and pay. Set up a Homegrown storefront for Tennessee cottage food orders with pickup and in-state delivery, then compare the rules in nearby states like Kentucky, Georgia, Virginia, and Alabama, 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 Tennessee Department of Agriculture before selling. Last verified: June 2026.*
