New Hampshire Cottage Food Laws: Your Complete Guide for 2026

— Real question from a New Hampshire cottage food producer

TL;DR: New Hampshire Cottage Food Laws Quick Answer

Registration: Required with NH Dept of Revenue
Allowed Products: Baked goods, jams, jellies, pickles, candies, dry goods
Where to Sell: Unlicensed: direct sales only | Licensed: + online, wholesale, shipping

Last verified: January 2026 against RSA 143-A:12 Homestead Food License

New Hampshire recently made game-changing updates to its cottage food law. The result? One of the most producer-friendly systems in New England. No revenue cap for licensed operations, flexible sales channels, and a clear two-tier system.

📋 New Hampshire Cottage Food at a Glance

Registration: Required with NH Dept of Revenue
Revenue Cap:
Licensed: Unlimited!
Allowed Products: Baked goods, jams, jellies, pickles, candies, dry goods
Where to Sell: Farmers markets, home, online (if licensed)
Training: Not required
Inspection: Not required (unless licensed and requested by DHHS)

✅ Great news: Licensed operators have NO revenue cap - sell as much as you want!

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Overview of New Hampshire Homestead Food Law
Unlicensed vs Licensed: Two Tiers Explained
Allowed Products in New Hampshire
Prohibited Products
Revenue Limits (Or Lack Thereof!)
Labeling Requirements
Registration Process
Where You Can Sell
Common Questions (FAQs)
Get Started Today

Overview of New Hampshire Homestead Food Law

Key legislative history:

What Makes New Hampshire's Law Great

New Hampshire offers a two-tier system similar to California, giving you flexibility to start small or go big.

Key benefits:

✅ Unlimited revenue for licensed operations (no cap!)
✅ No home inspection required (in most cases)
✅ Can sell online and ship (if licensed)
✅ Can wholesale to stores and restaurants (if licensed)
✅ No mandatory food safety training

Unlicensed vs Licensed: Two Tiers Explained

New Hampshire is one of the few states offering two distinct pathways for homestead food producers.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Unlicensed	Licensed
Where to Sell	Own farm stand, farmers markets, home	All unlicensed venues + online, wholesale, retail
Online Sales	❌ Not allowed	✅ Allowed
Shipping/Mail Order	❌ Not allowed	✅ Allowed
Wholesale to Stores	❌ Not allowed	✅ Allowed
Wholesale to Restaurants	❌ Not allowed	✅ Allowed
Inspection	Not required	Not typically required*
Best For	Part-time, testing products	Full-time, scaling, online sales

*NH DHHS reserves the right to inspect licensed operations if needed.

Which Tier Should You Choose?

Choose Unlicensed if:

✅ You're just starting out
✅ You only want to sell at farmers markets and your home
✅ You want zero fees
✅ You don't need online sales
✅ You're doing this part-time or seasonally

Choose Licensed if:

✅ You want to sell online (website, Etsy, social media)
✅ You want to ship products to customers
✅ You have (or want) wholesale accounts with stores or restaurants
✅ You want unlimited revenue potential
✅ You're treating this as a serious business

What Products Can I Sell Under New Hampshire Cottage Food Laws?

New Hampshire allows a wide variety of non-potentially hazardous foods (foods that don't require refrigeration for safety).

✅ Allowed Under Both Tiers

Baked Goods:

Breads, rolls, biscuits, muffins
Cookies, brownies, bars
Cakes (without cream filling or cream cheese frosting)
Double-crusted fruit pies (no cream or custard)
Pastries, scones
Unfilled donuts

Preserved Foods:

Jams and jellies
Fruit butters
Pickles (properly acidified)
Dried fruits
Dried pasta

Confections:

Candy, fudge
Toffee, brittles
Chocolate-covered items
Marshmallows

Snacks & Dry Goods:

Granola, trail mix
Roasted nuts
Packaged dry products (spice mixes, dry rubs)
Crackers, chips
Popcorn (including caramel corn)

Condiments:

Honey
Maple syrup
Dried herbs and spices
Tea blends

Important Product Notes

Maple Syrup: Popular in New Hampshire! Must comply with state maple syrup grading standards.

Baked Goods: Can contain eggs and dairy as ingredients (as long as the final product doesn't require refrigeration).

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

Other Products:

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

What Products Are Prohibited Under Cottage Food Laws?

❌ NOT Allowed (Both Tiers)

Dairy-Based Items:

Cheese (fresh or aged)
Milk-based products (yogurt, kefir)
Cream cheese frostings
Custards, puddings
Ice cream

Perishable/Refrigerated Items:

Cream-filled pastries
Cream pies or custard pies
Cheesecakes
Fresh produce
Cut fruits or vegetables

Meat, Poultry & Seafood:

Any products containing meat
Poultry products
Seafood
Meat jerky

Other Restrictions:

Low-acid canned goods (without approved process)
Fermented foods (kombucha, sauerkraut) - unless properly acidified
Cannabis-infused products
Alcohol-infused products (except baked goods where alcohol cooks off)
Pet food or treats

💡 Rule of Thumb: If it needs refrigeration to stay safe, it's not allowed under homestead food operation law.

Revenue Limits (Or Lack Thereof!)

This is where New Hampshire really shines for serious producers.

What counts:

✅ All gross sales of homestead food products
✅ Sales at farmers markets, farm stand, home pickup

What doesn't count:

❌ Sales tax collected

Licensed Operations: NO CAP! 🎉

Maximum annual gross sales: UNLIMITED

What this means:

✅ Scale your business as large as you want
✅ No artificial ceiling on your earning potential
✅ Compete with commercial operations (while still working from home)

Sales Tracking

Even without a cap (for licensed), you still need to track sales for:

Income tax purposes
Sales tax collection and remittance
Business planning and growth

What Are the Labeling Requirements for Cottage Food in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire has specific labeling requirements for homestead food products. Every product must have a compliant label.

Required on Every Label:

Product name

Common name (e.g., "Blueberry Jam" not "Summer Harvest")

Ingredients list

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

Allergen information

List all major allergens
Bold or separate line recommended
Example: "Contains: Wheat, Milk, Eggs"
Major allergens: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans

Net weight or volume
Your name and address

Your business name
Street address (can be home address or P.O. Box)

County name

Must include the county where your home kitchen is located
Example: "Cheshire County"

"Made in a home kitchen" statement

Example: "Made in a home kitchen not subject to public health inspection that may also process common food allergens."

Example New Hampshire Label

Monadnock Mountain Bakery
Cheshire County

MAPLE WALNUT COOKIES

Ingredients: Wheat flour, butter (cream, salt), maple
syrup, brown sugar, walnuts, eggs, vanilla extract,
baking soda, salt

Contains: Wheat, Milk, Eggs, Tree Nuts (Walnuts)


Made in a home kitchen not subject to public health
inspection that may also process common food allergens.

How Do I Register to Sell Cottage Food in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire requires all homestead food operators (both unlicensed and licensed) to register with the Department of Revenue Administration.

Step-by-Step Registration

Website: revenue.nh.gov
Register as a business entity
Obtain an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS (free)

For Unlicensed:

No additional registration needed
Only sell at allowed venues (farmers markets, home, farm stand)

For Licensed:

Contact NH Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Request Homestead Food Operation License application
Website: dhhs.nh.gov/homestead-food-operations
Business name and contact information
Home address (kitchen location)
County name
List of products you plan to make
Sales channels you plan to use
Paid to NH DHHS
Renews annually
Mail or email to NH DHHS
Include payment
Include label samples (recommended)
You'll receive a license certificate
Display at farmers markets/events (if requested)
Separate from homestead registration
Register with NH Department of Revenue
No sales tax in New Hampshire! (but see note below)

Sales Tax Note

Consult with NH Department of Revenue if unsure.

Where Can I Sell Cottage Food in New Hampshire?

Sales venues depend on whether you're unlicensed or licensed.

Unlicensed Operations: Limited Venues

✅ Allowed:

Your own farm stand (on your property)
Farmers markets
From your homestead residence (customer pickup)

❌ NOT Allowed:

Online sales (website, Etsy, social media)
Shipping or mail order
Wholesale to stores
Wholesale to restaurants
Third-party events (not farmers markets)

Licensed Operations: All Channels Open

✅ Allowed (ALL CHANNELS):

All unlicensed venues (farmers markets, home, farm stand)
Online sales (your website, Etsy, social media)
Shipping and mail order (within or outside NH)
Wholesale to retail stores (grocery stores, specialty shops, co-ops)
Wholesale to restaurants and cafes
Wholesale to brokers and distributors
Community events (festivals, fairs, craft shows)

✅ Interstate Commerce: Licensed operators can ship to other states (subject to destination state's laws).

Popular Sales Channels in New Hampshire

Top farmers markets for cottage food:

Portsmouth Farmers Market
Keene Farmers Market
Concord Farmers Market
Nashua Farmers Market
Hanover Farmers Market

Online platforms:

Your own website
Etsy (for licensed operations)
Instagram/Facebook (for licensed operations)
Local food hubs and co-ops

Common Questions About New Hampshire Homestead Food Law

Q: Is there really no revenue cap for licensed operations?

Q: Do I need food safety training?

A: New Hampshire does not require food safety training for homestead food operators (unlicensed or licensed). However, taking a food handler course is highly recommended, especially if making pickled items or handling allergens.

Q: Do I need a business license?

Q: Can I sell at multiple farmers markets?

A: Yes! Both unlicensed and licensed operators can sell at as many farmers markets as they want. Just make sure each market allows homestead food vendors.

Q: Can I upgrade from unlicensed to licensed later?

Q: Can I ship out of state?

A: Yes, if you're a licensed homestead food operation. However, you must comply with the destination state's laws. Some states don't allow out-of-state cottage food sales.

Q: Do I need home inspection?

A: Generally, no inspection is required for homestead food operations in New Hampshire. However, NH DHHS reserves the right to inspect licensed operations if there's a complaint or concern.

Q: Can I make maple syrup?

A: Yes! New Hampshire is a top maple syrup producer. Homestead food operators can produce and sell maple syrup, but must follow state maple grading and labeling standards. Contact NH Dept of Agriculture for details.

Q: Can I hire employees?

A: Homestead food operations are intended for the operator (and potentially household members). Hiring outside employees is generally not allowed under this law. If you need employees, you'd transition to a licensed food establishment.

Q: Do I need insurance?

A: New Hampshire homestead food law doesn't require insurance, but:

Wholesale accounts often require insurance
It's smart to protect yourself

How Do I Get Started Selling Cottage Food in New Hampshire?

Ready to launch your New Hampshire homestead food business? Here's your action plan:

Sources:

NH Department of Health and Human Services - Last verified: October 15, 2025
NH Department of Revenue Administration - Last verified: October 15, 2025

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify current requirements with NH DHHS and local authorities. Cottage food laws can change.