The Homegrown Vendor Blog

A practical guide to cottage food revenue caps — what happens when you hit the limit, how caps vary by state, and your options for continuing to grow your food business beyond the cottage food exemption.

Which foods you can sell under cottage food laws, why the line sits at pH 4.6, and a 9-state table for pickles, salsa, butter, cheesecake, jerky and tamales, checked October 2026.

Can you ship cottage food? We read 25 states' rules on October 1, 2026: which allow mail inside the state, which need hand delivery, the 3 that allow out-of-state sales, and what federal law adds.

A plain-language guide to insurance for farmers market vendors and cottage food sellers — covering what type of coverage you need, how much it costs, what "additional insured" means, and how to get insured quickly.

A plain-language guide to sales tax for farmers market vendors and cottage food sellers — covering which products are taxable, how to get a permit, collecting tax at your booth, filing returns, and common mistakes to avoid.

A practical guide to tax deductions for cottage food vendors and farmers market sellers — covering ingredients, mileage, booth fees, equipment, home office deductions, and simple record-keeping tips for tax time.

Most cottage food vendors never need an LLC. Here is what one costs in 8 states, why it won't cover food you made yourself, and when insurance protects you better.

Can you sell homemade salsa? Only in some states. Here are the rules in 13 states, the pH 4.6 line, tested recipes, what a pint costs to make and what vendors charge.

A step-by-step guide to setting up online ordering for your farmers market booth — from choosing a tool and adding products to getting your first prepaid pickup order. Most vendors are live in under 30 minutes.