Sell Homemade Food in California — A Friendly 2026 Guide
Everything you need to start your home food business in California — what you can sell, what permits you need, where to register, and how to ship.
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$75,000 (Class A) / $150,000 (Class B), inflation-adjusted annually
Revenue Limit
Annual limit under cottage food law
Allowed
Online Sales
Sell through your own website
Yes
Permit Required
Class A registration (direct sales) or Class B permit (direct + indirect sales)
business-friendly
Regulation Level
California is considered business-friendly for home food
You've Got This — Here's How to Start
Selling food from home in California is easier than it sounds. Just follow these steps in order.
Read your state's rules (5 min)
California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch explains everything you need to know about the California Homemade Food Act (AB 1616 of 2012, amended by AB 1144 of 2021).
Get your food handler card (online, ~$15)
California requires a food handler certification. Most people finish the online course in under two hours.
Apply for your class a registration (direct sales) or class b permit (direct + indirect sales)
Send your application to California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch. Most states approve within 2–4 weeks.
Print your labels
Every package needs a label with your name, ingredients, and a few other details. We list exactly what California requires below.
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Here's What You Get for $4.99/month
Your own online store with photos and menu
Online ordering, pickup, and local delivery
Nationwide shipping for dry goods (FedEx, USPS, UPS)
Labels, receipts, and customer messaging — all in one place
What You Can Sell in California
baked goods
candy
granola
dried fruits
honey
jams
jellies
herb blends
nut butters
popcorn
roasted coffee
trail mix
waffle cones
Prohibited Products
meat
raw milk products
alcoholic beverages
Rules can change — quickly check with California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch before you start, just to be safe.
California Requirements Checklist
Here's what you need to start selling homemade food in California under the California Homemade Food Act (AB 1616 of 2012, amended by AB 1144 of 2021)
Class A registration (direct sales) or Class B permit (direct + indirect sales) Required
Cost: Contact your state. Apply through your state agriculture department.
Food Handler Certification Required
Available through online courses — typically $10–$15.
No Kitchen Inspection Needed
California allows you to use your home kitchen without inspection.
What Goes on Your Label
Every package you sell needs a label. Here's exactly what California wants on it — copy this list.
"Made in a Home Kitchen" or "Repackaged in a Home Kitchen" in 12-pt type
Name of the cottage food operation
Cottage food registration or permit number
Common name of the product
Ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight
Net quantity of contents
Allergen disclosure (FALCPA-compliant)
Ingredient list — listed in order from most to least
California requires you to list every ingredient on each package. Start with the heaviest ingredient and work your way down. Sub-ingredients (like "chocolate chips: cocoa, sugar, milkfat") go in parentheses.
Allergen disclosure — required
Clearly list any of the 9 major allergens your product contains: milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, and sesame. A simple line works: "Contains: wheat, eggs, milk."
What You Can Ship From California
Cookies, jams, dry mixes — these ship great from California. Here's what works.
Shelf-stable products that ship well
baked goods
candy
granola
dried fruits
honey
jams
herb blends
nut butters
popcorn
roasted coffee
trail mix
waffle cones
Ship within California only
You can sell and ship cottage foods anywhere in California — including online — but sales must be to a customer within California. Shipping out of state isn't permitted under the CFO program.
What can't ship
Anything that needs refrigeration — cheesecakes, custard pies, cream-filled pastries, fresh dairy, meat — can't be shipped under cottage food rules. Stick to dry, shelf-stable items for shipping. Local pickup and delivery still work great for everything else.
Ship Your Products Nationwide
Integrated with major carriers for reliable delivery
FedEx
USPS
UPS
Flat Rate Shipping
Weight-Based Pricing
Free Shipping Thresholds
Where You Can Sell in California
Direct Sales (from home)
Allowed in California
Online Sales (website)
Allowed in California
Farmers Markets
Allowed in California
Wholesale to Stores
Allowed in California
Start Your Home Food Business in California
Explore city-specific guides with local market data and business type recommendations
Farmers Markets in California
California allows cottage food sales at farmers markets — here are popular venues
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Wednesday, Saturday · Year-round
Los Angeles, Santa Monica
Food Events in California
LA Food Fest
Southern California's largest outdoor food festival with local artisan food vendors.
Visit Website626 Night Market
Massive Asian-inspired night market in Arcadia with 200+ food booths.
Visit WebsitedineLA Restaurant Week
Citywide prix-fixe dining celebration showcasing LA's diverse food scene.
San Diego Restaurant Week
Citywide prix-fixe dining event showcasing San Diego's diverse food scene.
Latin Food Fest
Three-day celebration of Latin American cuisine with local vendors and cooking demos.
Visit WebsiteSan Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival
Week-long culinary festival featuring local artisan food producers.
Home Food Business Types in California
Start any of these home food businesses under the California Homemade Food Act (AB 1616 of 2012, amended by AB 1144 of 2021)
Start Your California Home Food Business — $4.99/month
Professional website, online ordering, payments, shipping, customer directory, and analytics — everything you need to comply with the California Homemade Food Act (AB 1616 of 2012, amended by AB 1144 of 2021) and grow your business.
Explore Cottage Food Laws in Other States
Moving or expanding beyond California? Compare the rules elsewhere.
About RestauNax for Home Food Businesses
RestauNax offers a $4.99/month platform for home food businesses, cottage food operators, home bakers, food influencers, and small food makers. The platform includes a professional website, online ordering, nationwide shipping (FedEx/USPS/UPS), Stripe payment processing, customer directory, multi-language support, and analytics — all with zero commission fees. RestauNax replaces expensive platforms like Castiron, Shopify, and Square Online for home food sellers at a fraction of the cost.