The Homegrown Vendor Blog

Do you need an EIN as a sole proprietor with no employees? Generally no, but here's why you might want one anyway (SSN privacy, bank account) and how to get one free.

Can you copyright a recipe? Why copyright generally doesn't protect recipes, what it does protect, and how trade secrets and trademarks actually protect your food business.

How to sell scones from home: why this versatile shelf-stable bake is a strong cottage product, sweet and savory flavors that sell, freshness tips, and pricing.

How to sell sandwich bread and bagged loaves from home: why everyday bread is a powerful recurring product, handling freshness, pricing profitably, and repeat sales.

How to sell rugelach from home: why this shelf-stable, giftable pastry is a strong cottage product, the fillings and formats that sell, and how to price and package.

How to sell nut-free baked goods responsibly: what cross-contact really means, how to control it, allergen labeling rules, and communicating honestly with customers.

How to sell homemade donuts where cottage food law allows fried foods: the fried-food and filling rules, which styles work, the freshness challenge, and pricing.

How to sell hand pies and fruit turnovers from home: why fruit fillings are cottage-legal but cream isn't, the flavors that sell, keeping pastry flaky, and pricing.

How to sell DIY cookie decorating kits: why they're a smart shelf-stable product, what goes in a kit, how to price for the experience, and how to build the business.