Sell Homemade Food in Massachusetts — A Friendly 2026 Guide
Everything you need to start your home food business in Massachusetts — what you can sell, what permits you need, where to register, and how to ship.
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No limit
Revenue Limit
No cap on earnings
Allowed
Online Sales
Sell through your own website
Yes
Permit Required
Residential Kitchen Permit (issued by local Board of Health under 105 CMR 590)
moderately regulated
Regulation Level
Massachusetts is considered moderately regulated for home food
You've Got This — Here's How to Start
Selling food from home in Massachusetts is easier than it sounds. Just follow these steps in order.
Read your state's rules (5 min)
Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) explains everything you need to know about the 105 CMR 590.000 (Massachusetts State Sanitary Code, Chapter X).
Apply for your residential kitchen permit (issued by local board of health under 105 cmr 590)
Send your application to Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH). Most states approve within 2–4 weeks.
Schedule your kitchen inspection
Massachusetts needs to inspect your home kitchen before you can sell. Your local health department will walk you through what to prep.
Print your labels
Every package needs a label with your name, ingredients, and a few other details. We list exactly what Massachusetts requires below.
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Here's What You Get for $4.99/month
Your own online store with photos and menu
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Nationwide shipping for dry goods (FedEx, USPS, UPS)
Labels, receipts, and customer messaging — all in one place
What You Can Sell in Massachusetts
baked goods
candy
jams
jellies
honey
popcorn
granola
Prohibited Products
meat
dairy
canned foods
Rules can change — quickly check with Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) before you start, just to be safe.
Massachusetts Requirements Checklist
Here's what you need to start selling homemade food in Massachusetts under the 105 CMR 590.000 (Massachusetts State Sanitary Code, Chapter X)
Residential Kitchen Permit (issued by local Board of Health under 105 CMR 590) Required
Cost: Contact your state. Apply through your state agriculture department.
No Food Handler Cert Needed
Massachusetts does not require a food handler certification.
Kitchen Inspection Required
Your home kitchen must pass an inspection before you can begin selling.
What Goes on Your Label
Every package you sell needs a label. Here's exactly what Massachusetts wants on it — copy this list.
Common name of the product
Producer's name and address
Complete ingredient list (descending order by weight)
Net weight or volume
Allergen disclosure per federal FALCPA
Statement that food was prepared in a residential kitchen that is not subject to routine government inspection
Ingredient list — listed in order from most to least
Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts
Cookies, jams, dry mixes — these ship great from Massachusetts. Here's what works.
Shelf-stable products that ship well
baked goods
candy
jams
honey
popcorn
granola
Ship within Massachusetts only
Massachusetts permits direct-to-consumer sales (including by internet or mail) for permitted residential kitchens, but the state's permit framework targets in-state sales. Confirm with your local Board of Health before shipping across state lines.
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
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FedEx
USPS
UPS
Flat Rate Shipping
Weight-Based Pricing
Free Shipping Thresholds
Where You Can Sell in Massachusetts
Direct Sales (from home)
Allowed in Massachusetts
Online Sales (website)
Allowed in Massachusetts
Farmers Markets
Allowed in Massachusetts
Wholesale to Stores
Not permitted under Massachusetts cottage food law
Start Your Home Food Business in Massachusetts
Explore city-specific guides with local market data and business type recommendations
Farmers Markets in Massachusetts
Massachusetts allows cottage food sales at farmers markets — here are popular venues
Food Events in Massachusetts
Taste of Boston
Annual Seaport food festival featuring Boston's best restaurants and food artisans.
Boston Local Food Festival
Celebration of New England's local food producers at the Rose Kennedy Greenway.
Visit WebsiteSoWa Open Market
Weekly South End market combining art, fashion, and artisan food vendors.
Visit WebsiteHome Food Business Types in Massachusetts
Start any of these home food businesses under the 105 CMR 590.000 (Massachusetts State Sanitary Code, Chapter X)
Start Your Massachusetts Home Food Business — $4.99/month
Professional website, online ordering, payments, shipping, customer directory, and analytics — everything you need to comply with the 105 CMR 590.000 (Massachusetts State Sanitary Code, Chapter X) and grow your business.
Explore Cottage Food Laws in Other States
Moving or expanding beyond Massachusetts? 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.