Sell Homemade Food in New York — A Friendly 2026 Guide
Everything you need to start your home food business in New York — what you can sell, what permits you need, where to register, and how to ship.
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$50,000
Revenue Limit
Annual limit under cottage food law
Allowed
Online Sales
Sell through your own website
Yes
Permit Required
Home Processor Exemption Registration (Article 20-C exemption) — Free (no fee); renew every 2 years
moderately regulated
Regulation Level
New York is considered moderately regulated for home food
You've Got This — Here's How to Start
Selling food from home in New York is easier than it sounds. Just follow these steps in order.
Read your state's rules (5 min)
New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, Division of Food Safety and Inspection explains everything you need to know about the New York Home Processor Exemption (Agriculture and Markets Law Article 20-C).
Apply for your home processor exemption registration (article 20-c exemption) (Free (no fee); renew every 2 years)
Send your application to New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, Division of Food Safety and Inspection. 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 New York 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 New York
baked goods
candy
jams
jellies
honey
popcorn
granola
dried herbs
fruit butter
Prohibited Products
meat
dairy
canned low-acid foods
Rules can change — quickly check with New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, Division of Food Safety and Inspection before you start, just to be safe.
New York Requirements Checklist
Here's what you need to start selling homemade food in New York under the New York Home Processor Exemption (Agriculture and Markets Law Article 20-C)
Home Processor Exemption Registration (Article 20-C exemption) Required
Cost: Free (no fee); renew every 2 years. Apply through your state agriculture department.
No Food Handler Cert Needed
New York does not require a food handler certification.
No Kitchen Inspection Needed
New York 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 New York wants on it — copy this list.
Common or usual name of the product
Ingredients listed in descending order of predominance by weight
Major allergens (eggs, milk, fish, shellfish, soybeans, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, sesame)
Net quantity of contents
Processor name and full address
Statement such as 'Made in a Home Kitchen' (font 1/16 inch or larger)
Ingredient list — listed in order from most to least
New York 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 New York
Cookies, jams, dry mixes — these ship great from New York. Here's what works.
Shelf-stable products that ship well
baked goods
candy
jams
honey
popcorn
granola
dried herbs
fruit butter
Ship within New York only
New York home processors can sell direct, at farmers markets, and online including shipping within New York State. All sales must be to consumers located in New York; out-of-state shipping is not permitted under the exemption.
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 New York
Direct Sales (from home)
Allowed in New York
Online Sales (website)
Allowed in New York
Farmers Markets
Allowed in New York
Wholesale to Stores
Not permitted under New York cottage food law
Start Your Home Food Business in New York
Explore city-specific guides with local market data and business type recommendations
Farmers Markets in New York
New York allows cottage food sales at farmers markets — here are popular venues
Food Events in New York
Smorgasburg
Brooklyn's iconic open-air food market with 100+ local food vendors every weekend.
Visit WebsiteNYC Restaurant Week
Citywide prix-fixe dining event that spotlights the local food scene.
Visit WebsiteTaste of Times Square
Annual outdoor food festival featuring restaurants and home food makers from across Manhattan.
Home Food Business Types in New York
Start any of these home food businesses under the New York Home Processor Exemption (Agriculture and Markets Law Article 20-C)
Start Your New York Home Food Business — $4.99/month
Professional website, online ordering, payments, shipping, customer directory, and analytics — everything you need to comply with the New York Home Processor Exemption (Agriculture and Markets Law Article 20-C) and grow your business.
Explore Cottage Food Laws in Other States
Moving or expanding beyond New York? 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.