Georgia Cottage Food Laws 2026: Free, No Cap, Retail

— Real question from a Georgia cottage food producer

TL;DR: Georgia Cottage Food Laws Quick Answer

License/Registration: None required! Optional registration available for address privacy
Revenue Cap: None—unlimited sales!
Allowed Products: Baked goods, jams, jellies, candies, dried herbs
Key Requirement: Proper labeling with "Made in a Home Kitchen" disclaimer

Last verified: January 2026 against Georgia Department of Agriculture Cottage Food Program and HB 398 (2025)

📋 Georgia Cottage Food at a Glance

Registration: Not required! Optional registration available for address privacy
Revenue Cap: No cap! Sell as much as you want
Training: ✅ Required
Inspection: Not required
Allowed Products: Baked goods, jams, jellies, candies, dried herbs, and more

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What Changed in 2025: HB 398 Explained
Overview of Georgia Cottage Food Law
Allowed Products
Prohibited Products
No Revenue Cap!
Labeling Requirements
Registration Process
Food Safety Training
Kitchen Inspection
Where You Can Sell
Common Questions (FAQs)
Get Started Today

Key Changes

✅ NO LICENSE/REGISTRATION REQUIRED! Start selling without government approval
✅ Retail store sales now allowed! Sell to grocery stores, specialty shops, co-ops
✅ No revenue cap! Unlimited sales potential
✅ No mandatory training or inspection! Simplified startup process
✅ Online sales explicitly allowed - Sell through your website or platforms
✅ Optional registration number - Use instead of home address on labels for privacy

What stayed the same:

Proper labeling required (including "Made in a Home Kitchen" statement)
Same allowed product categories (non-potentially hazardous foods)
Same prohibition on interstate sales

💡 Bottom Line: Georgia now has one of the MOST PERMISSIVE cottage food laws in America—no license, no fees, no cap, and you can sell to stores!

What Is Georgia's Cottage Food Law?

Timeline:

Original Georgia Cottage Food Act established cottage food framework

What Makes Georgia Great for Cottage Food

Key benefits:

✅ No license or registration required - Start selling immediately!
✅ No revenue cap - Unlimited earning potential
✅ Online sales permitted
✅ Wide variety of allowed products
✅ No mandatory training - Though recommended for food safety
✅ No inspection requirement
✅ Optional registration number for privacy - Use instead of home address

💡 Strategic Advantage: Georgia now has one of the easiest startup processes in the country—start selling TODAY with just proper labels!

What Products Can I Sell Under Georgia Cottage Food Laws?

Georgia allows a comprehensive list of non-potentially hazardous foods.

✅ Allowed Products

Baked Goods:

Breads, rolls, biscuits
Cookies, brownies, bars
Cakes, cupcakes (without cream fillings)
Pastries, scones, muffins
Pies (fruit-based)
Donuts (unfilled)

Preserved Foods:

Jams, jellies, preserves
Fruit butters
Dried fruits

Confections & Candies:

Hard candies
Toffee, brittles
Fudge
Chocolate-covered items
Cotton candy

Snacks & Cereals:

Granola, trail mix
Cereal bars
Popcorn (all varieties)
Nuts (roasted)

Herbs & Seasonings:

Dried herbs
Spice blends and mixtures
Herb-infused vinegars

Other Allowed Items:

Honey
Dried pasta
Baking mixes

⚠️ Important: Your specific product list must be approved during registration. Submit detailed product descriptions and labels.

Product Guides for Cottage Food Sellers

Ready to start selling? These comprehensive guides cover everything from equipment and startup costs to pricing and marketing:

Baked Goods:

How to Sell Cakes from Home — Startup costs, pricing, and decorating tips
How to Sell Brownies from Home — Equipment, recipes, and market strategies
How to Sell Bread from Home — Bread baking equipment and sales venues
How to Sell Sourdough from Home — Starter maintenance, pricing, and scaling
How to Sell Homemade Bread — Complete artisan bread business guide
How to Sell Cookies from Home — Best-selling varieties and packaging

Preserves & Condiments:

How to Sell Jams and Jellies — Canning basics, pricing, and labeling
How to Sell Apple Butter — Production techniques and seasonal sales
How to Sell Honey from Home — Beekeeping economics and honey regulations
How to Sell Herbs from Home — Growing, harvesting, and drying techniques

Confections & Specialty:

How to Sell Chocolates from Home — Tempering, molding, and gift packaging
How to Sell Fudge from Home — Temperature control and flavor varieties
How to Sell Spices from Home — Sourcing, blending, and packaging
How to Sell Popcorn from Home — Caramel corn, kettle corn, flavored varieties
How to Sell Tamales from Home — Vegetarian in most states, meat in TCS states

Other Products:

How to Sell Cut Flowers from Home — Growing, arranging, and market sales

Farmers Market Guides:

Best Farmers Markets in Atlanta: Complete 2026 Guide — 14+ markets with hours, locations, and vendor tips
Georgia Farmers Market Permits: Complete 2026 Guide — Application process, fees, insurance, and equipment requirements

What Products Are Prohibited Under Cottage Food Laws?

❌ NOT Allowed Under Georgia Cottage Food Law

Dairy-Based Products:

Cheese (any type)
Milk products
Cream cheese frostings
Custards, puddings
Ice cream, frozen desserts

Meat, Poultry & Seafood:

Any meat products
Jerky
Smoked meats or fish
Canned meats

Potentially Hazardous Foods:

Cream-filled pastries
Cheesecakes
Fresh produce (cut or whole)
Refrigerated items

Acidified & Fermented Foods:

Pickled vegetables
Canned tomatoes or salsa
Hot sauces
Kombucha
Kimchi, sauerkraut

Other Restrictions:

Low-acid canned goods
Pet treats (different regulations)
Cannabis-infused products

💡 Rule of Thumb: If it requires refrigeration for safety or contains meat/dairy as a primary ingredient, it's prohibited.

No Revenue Cap!

Unlimited Revenue Potential

Georgia is one of the few states with NO revenue cap for cottage food operations.

What this means:

✅ Grow your business without licensing transitions
✅ No need to track sales caps

Comparison to other states:

State	Revenue Cap	License Required?
North Dakota	♾️ Unlimited	No

💰 Strategic Advantage: Georgia's unlimited model makes it ideal for producers who want to build substantial cottage food businesses.

What Are the Labeling Requirements for Cottage Food in Georgia?

Georgia has specific labeling requirements for cottage food products.

Required on Every Label:

Name and address of cottage food operation

Can be your home address or P.O. Box

Product name (common name)

Example: "Blueberry Jam" not "Blue Heaven"

Complete ingredient list

Descending order by weight
Include sub-ingredients
Example: "Ingredients: Blueberries, sugar, pectin, lemon juice"

Allergen statement

If product contains major allergens
Example: "Contains: Wheat, Eggs, Milk"
Major allergens: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans

Net quantity

Weight or volume

"Made in a Home Kitchen" statement

Required disclaimer
Exact wording may be specified by Georgia Department of Agriculture

Label Example

Peach State Preserves

STRAWBERRY JAM

Ingredients: Strawberries, sugar, pectin, citric acid


Made in a Home Kitchen

💡 Tip: Labels must be accurate. If using the optional registration number instead of your address, contact GDA to obtain it.

How Do I Register to Sell Cottage Food in Georgia?

Step-by-Step to Start Selling (No Registration Needed!)

Select non-potentially hazardous foods from the allowed list
Develop and test your recipes
Calculate your pricing
Include all required elements (see Labeling section)
Include "Made in a Home Kitchen" statement
Include your name and address (or registration number for privacy)
That's it! No license, no fees, no waiting
Sell at farmers markets, online, or to retail stores
Track sales for tax purposes

Optional: Registration Number for Privacy

If you don't want your home address on labels, you can optionally register with the Georgia Department of Agriculture:

Benefits of optional registration:

✅ Use registration number instead of home address on labels
✅ Listed in Georgia's cottage food database
✅ Added credibility with retailers

To get a registration number:

Contact Georgia Department of Agriculture
Request cottage food registration number
Fee may apply (check current rates)

Contact Information

Georgia Department of Agriculture Food Safety Division

Website: agr.georgia.gov/cottage-food

Food Safety Training

Why Training is Recommended (Though Not Required)

Benefits of food safety training:

✅ Learn proper food handling and storage
✅ Understand how to prevent contamination
✅ Build customer confidence
✅ Reduce liability risk
✅ Many farmers markets still require it

Recommended training providers:

UGA Extension local courses (check availability)

💡 Pro Tip: Even though it's not required, taking a food safety course is a smart investment in your business. Many customers and retailers will appreciate knowing you've been trained.

What Kitchen Requirements Must I Meet in Georgia?

Recommended Kitchen Standards

Best practices (not legally required):

✅ Clean, sanitary kitchen
✅ Proper food storage
✅ Adequate lighting and ventilation
✅ Handwashing facilities with soap
✅ Safe water supply
✅ Proper waste disposal
✅ No evidence of pests
✅ Food-grade equipment and surfaces

What to avoid during production:

❌ Pets in kitchen during production
❌ Smoking in kitchen
❌ Unsanitary conditions
❌ Cross-contamination risks

Food Safety Best Practices

Even without inspection requirements, smart producers follow these practices:

Production hygiene:

Wash hands frequently
Use clean equipment and utensils
Store ingredients properly
Keep raw and finished products separate
Monitor temperatures for perishable ingredients
Clean and sanitize work surfaces

Record keeping (recommended):

Keep production logs
Track ingredient sources
Document batch dates
Maintain customer records for traceability

💡 Pro Tip: Even though no inspection is required, maintaining professional kitchen standards protects your business reputation and reduces liability risk.

Where Can I Sell Cottage Food in Georgia?

✅ Allowed Sales Channels

Direct Sales:

Farmers markets
Roadside stands, farm stands
Your home (customer pickup)
Community events, festivals, fairs
Pop-up markets

Online Sales:

✅ Your own website
✅ Social media (Facebook, Instagram)
✅ Third-party platforms (Etsy, etc.)
✅ Shipping within Georgia
✅ Grocery stores
✅ Specialty food shops
✅ Co-ops and natural food stores
✅ Coffee shops (for resale)
✅ Gift shops

Wholesale to Restaurants (NEW — HB 398, July 2025):

✅ Sales to restaurants for resale (with proper labeling and separate display)
⚠️ Local cities/counties may opt out via ordinance — check your jurisdiction

❌ Still NOT Allowed

Prohibited sales channels:

❌ Institutional sales (schools, hospitals, prisons)
❌ Interstate commerce (shipping out of state)

Retail Sales: What You Need to Know

Requirements for retail accounts:

Maintain your cottage food registration
Provide proper labels on all products
Follow all food safety protocols
Track which retailers carry your products

Tips for approaching retailers:

Start with small, local shops
Bring samples and your story
Show proof of registration and insurance
Have consistent production capacity

💻 StandScout Tip: Use our wholesale tracking feature to manage retail accounts, track inventory at each location, and ensure timely restocking.

Common Questions About Georgia Cottage Food Law

Q: Can I really sell to stores now?

Q: Is there a revenue limit?

A: No! Georgia has no revenue cap. You can earn unlimited income from your cottage food operation.

Q: Can I sell online and ship products?

A: Yes. Georgia cottage food producers can sell online and ship within Georgia. Interstate shipping (to other states) is not allowed.

Q: Do I need any license or registration?

Q: How quickly can I start selling?

A: Immediately! Since no registration, training, or inspection is required, you can start selling as soon as you have compliant labels on your products.

Q: What about the old inspection requirement?

Q: Do I need to collect sales tax?

A: Yes. Cottage food sales are subject to Georgia sales tax. Register with the Georgia Department of Revenue, collect appropriate sales tax, and file regular returns.

Q: Can I hire employees?

A: Georgia cottage food operations are intended for individual or household operations. Hiring outside employees may require transitioning to a commercial license. Check with GDA.

Q: Do I need insurance?

A: Georgia cottage food law doesn't require insurance, but:

Retail stores will require it for wholesale accounts
Highly recommended for protection

Q: What's required for proof of citizenship?

A: Georgia requires Secure & Verifiable (S&V) documents when applying. Acceptable documents include:

Driver's license or state ID
Birth certificate
Passport
Check GDA website for complete list of acceptable documents

Q: Can I make custom wedding cakes?

A: Yes! Custom cakes are allowed as long as they don't contain prohibited fillings (cream cheese, custard, fresh fruit). Buttercream and fondant are fine.

How Do I Get Started Selling Cottage Food in Georgia?

Morning:

Choose your products from the allowed list
Develop or finalize your recipes
Design compliant labels (see Labeling section)

Afternoon:

💡 Remember: No license, registration, training, or inspection required! Georgia now has one of the easiest cottage food startup processes in America.

Sources:

Georgia Department of Agriculture - Cottage Food Program - Last verified: January 08, 2026
Georgia Administrative Code (GAC) Subject 40-7-19 - Cottage Food Regulations - Last verified: January 08, 2026
HB 398 (2025) - Removed licensing, allows retail sales, eliminates revenue cap - Last verified: January 08, 2026
Georgia Department of Revenue - Sales tax registration - Last verified: January 08, 2026