The Homegrown Vendor Blog

If your cottage food business will owe more than $1,000 in federal tax this year, the IRS expects quarterly payments. Here is how to calculate them, when to pay, and how to avoid penalties.

Cottage food sales are reported on Schedule C. Plain-language walkthrough of how to track income, claim every deduction, calculate self-employment tax, and file correctly in 2026.

Product liability insurance is the single most important coverage for a home food vendor — it covers food poisoning, allergic reactions, and contamination claims. Here is exactly what it covers.

General liability insurance covers slip-and-fall claims and booth damage at farmers markets — but not the food itself. Here is what it covers, what it does not, and how to buy it for -/year.

Federal grants almost never fund home bakers, but state and local programs do. Here is the realistic 2026 list of cottage food grants and how to maximize your chances of winning.

Eight states have food freedom laws that let home vendors sell meat, dairy, and cooked meals without a license. Here is the 2026 list and what each state allows.

Most home bakers cannot get a USDA grant directly. Here are the five programs that exist, who actually qualifies, and what to do if you do not fit the producer-focused eligibility rules.

Etsy charges listing fees and expects shipping. Amazon requires commercial packaging. Here are the platforms that actually work for home bakers selling locally.

Red Hen requires an app download. Here are the best alternatives for local farm vendors who want a simple web link for pre-orders and local pickup in 2026.