To start a cottage food business in Missouri, you confirm your product fits one of the three allowed categories, label it with the required disclosure, and start selling — there's no license, no registration, no inspection, and no sales cap (state law expressly bars them). The one catch: Missouri's allowed list is short. This is the step-by-step playbook; for the full legal detail, see our Missouri cottage food law guide.

The short version: Missouri removed its $50,000 cap in 2022 (HB 1697), so cottage food sales are now unlimited, and no permit, registration, inspection, or training is allowed to be required (RSMo § 196.298). But Missouri keeps a short allowed list — non-perishable baked goods, canned jams and jellies (standard recipes), and dried herbs and herb mixes. You can sell directly to consumers and online within Missouri (pickup or in-state delivery), but not wholesale and not across state lines. Confirm your product fits, label it, and you can start today.

How Do You Start a Cottage Food Business in Missouri? (Step by Step)

1. Confirm your product fits one of three categories — non-perishable baked goods, canned jams/jellies (standard recipes), or dried herbs and herb mixes. Check yours in our Missouri cottage food law guide.
2. No license, registration, inspection, or training needed — RSMo § 196.298 bars the state and local governments from requiring them.
3. Set up safe home production. No inspection is required, but safe handling protects customers.
4. Label every product with your name and address, ingredients, allergens, net weight, and "This product is prepared in a kitchen that is not subject to inspection by the Department of Health and Senior Services."
5. Choose how you'll sell — directly to consumers and online within Missouri (pickup or in-state delivery), but not wholesale or out of state.
6. Make your first sale — with no cap, scale as fast as demand allows.

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Cottage Food Business in Missouri?

Missouri is one of the cheapest states to start because nothing can be required of you:

• License / registration / inspection / training: $0 (barred by law)
• Labels and packaging: $20–$100 to start
• First batch of ingredients: $30–$150
• Optional food-safety course: $10–$15 (good practice, not required)
• Online storefront: $10/month with Homegrown (0% commission)

Most Missouri sellers start for under $150.

How Long Does It Take to Start in Missouri?

You can legally start the same day — there's nothing to apply for. The realistic timeline:

• Day 1: Confirm your product fits an allowed category, design your label, buy packaging.
• Day 2–3: Make your first batch, photograph products, set up a storefront.
• Day 4+: Take your first orders, in person or online within Missouri.

What Can You Sell as a Missouri Cottage Food Business?

Missouri keeps a narrow list — only three categories qualify: non-perishable baked goods (breads, cookies, cakes), canned jams and jellies made with standard recipes, and dried herbs and herb mixes. Anything outside these three categories isn't covered by the cottage food law. The full details and labeling rules are in our Missouri cottage food law guide and cottage food labeling guide.

Where Can You Sell in Missouri?

Missouri is direct-to-consumer within the state:

• Directly to customers in person and from home
• At farmers markets, fairs, and events
• Online within Missouri (pickup or in-state delivery)
• Not wholesale and not across state lines

Because Missouri allows online sales within the state, a real storefront makes selling far easier than juggling DMs and spreadsheets. Homegrown gives Missouri cottage food sellers an online storefront with built-in payments and pickup for $10/month at 0% commission — you keep every dollar except standard card processing. Start a free trial and have a Missouri-ready storefront live in about 15 minutes.

How Much Can You Make Selling Cottage Food in Missouri?

There's no cap since 2022 — you can earn as much as demand allows within the three allowed categories. To get the most out of it:

• Master a few products — with a short list, doing baked goods or jams really well pays off.
• Price for profit — cover ingredients, packaging, your time, and card processing, then add margin.
• Sell online statewide — reach customers across Missouri, not just your town.
• Build repeat buyers — weekly pickup, pre-orders, and seasonal boxes make income steady.
• Reinvest — with no cap, growth is limited only by your capacity.

What Mistakes Should You Avoid When Starting in Missouri?

• Selling a food outside the three categories — Missouri's allowed list is narrow.
• Selling wholesale — Missouri cottage food is direct to consumers only.
• Shipping out of state — sales must stay within Missouri.
• Missing the label disclosure — the "not subject to inspection" statement is required.
• Underpricing — new sellers often forget to pay themselves; cost out your time.

Do You Need an LLC or to Worry About Taxes in Missouri?

Starting a cottage food business doesn't require an LLC, but it's worth understanding the basics: see whether you need an LLC to sell food from home and how cottage food taxes work on Schedule C. In Missouri you may also need a sales tax license from the Department of Revenue depending on what you sell.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a license to start a cottage food business in Missouri?

No. RSMo § 196.298 expressly bars the state and local governments from requiring a license, registration, inspection, or training for qualifying cottage food operations.

How much does it cost to start a cottage food business in Missouri?

Often under $150 — nothing can be required of you, so your main costs are labels, packaging, and ingredients. An online storefront adds $10/month.

How much can you make selling cottage food in Missouri?

There's no sales cap — HB 1697 removed the old $50,000 limit in 2022. You can sell an unlimited amount within the allowed categories.

What can you sell as a Missouri cottage food business?

Only three categories: non-perishable baked goods, canned jams and jellies (standard recipes), and dried herbs and herb mixes.

Can you sell cottage food online in Missouri?

Yes, within Missouri (pickup or in-state delivery). Wholesale and out-of-state sales aren't allowed.

How long does it take to start in Missouri?

You can start the same day — there's nothing to apply for.

Do you need an LLC to sell food from home in Missouri?

No. Most sellers start as sole proprietors. An LLC is optional and mainly about liability protection if you scale.

Start Your Missouri Cottage Food Business

Missouri is about as hands-off as it gets on licensing — no permit, no cap, nothing required — as long as you stick to its three allowed categories. Confirm your product fits, label it correctly, and set up an easy way for customers to order and pay. Set up a Homegrown storefront to take Missouri cottage food orders online, see the best platform to sell food from home, read the full Missouri cottage food law, and compare other states on our cottage food laws by state hub.

*This guide is general information, not legal advice. Cottage food rules change — verify current requirements with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services before you start selling. Last verified: June 2026.*

Selling at farmers markets? See our Missouri farmers market vendor permit guide for the permits you need on market day.