Oregon Cottage Food Laws 2026: $50K Cap, Make Almost Anything

— Real question from an Oregon home food producer

TL;DR: Oregon Cottage Food Laws Quick Answer

Allowed Products: All non-potentially hazardous foods (baked goods, jams, pickles, salsa, dried goods)
Where to Sell: Direct to consumers, farmers markets, online in-state, can sell to retailers with signage

Last verified: January 2026 against Oregon Department of Agriculture - What Can I Do Without a License?

This guide covers everything you need to know about Oregon's improved cottage food system.

📋 Oregon Cottage Food at a Glance

Registration: Not required (no license or permit)
Allowed Products: All non-potentially hazardous foods (shelf-stable items)
Where to Sell: Direct to consumers (farmers markets, home, events, online in-state)
Training: Food safety training required for each person preparing food
Inspection: Not required

📈 Future-proof: Revenue cap now adjusts annually for inflation!

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Overview: Oregon's 2024 Cottage Food Expansion
What Changed in 2024 (SB 643)
Allowed Products (Significantly Expanded!)
Prohibited Products
Revenue Cap: $50,000/Year (Inflation-Adjusted)
Food Safety Training (Required)
Labeling Requirements
Getting Started (No Registration!)
Where You Can Sell
Record Keeping Requirements
Common Questions (FAQs)
Start Selling Today

Legislative Timeline

What Makes Oregon Unique

Limited product categories
Restrictive rules
✅ All non-potentially hazardous foods allowed
✅ Broader interpretation of allowed products
✅ More flexibility for producers

💡 Bottom line: If you tried cottage food in Oregon years ago and felt limited, it's time to take another look. The law is MUCH better now.

Major Changes

Old rule: Specific list of allowed products
New rule: "All non-potentially hazardous foods"
Impact: Much broader interpretation, more products allowed
New feature: Revenue cap automatically adjusts each year
Benefit: Cap keeps pace with inflation, doesn't become outdated

What Stayed the Same

Still no license required:

✅ No registration
✅ No permits
✅ No fees
✅ No home inspection

Still requires food safety training:

Each person preparing food must complete training
Not optional (but affordable and quick)

Still direct-to-consumer only:

No wholesale to stores
No wholesale to restaurants
Must maintain direct relationship with customers

Allowed Products (Significantly Expanded!)

✅ Non-Potentially Hazardous Foods (All Allowed)

Baked Goods:

Breads, rolls, biscuits
Cookies, brownies, bars
Cakes (without cream or custard filling)
Pies with fruit fillings
Muffins, scones, pastries
Donuts (unfilled, cake-style)
Bagels, pretzels

Preserved Foods:

Jams and jellies
Fruit butters (apple butter, pumpkin butter)
Preserves
Dried fruits
Dried vegetables
Dried herbs
Dried pasta

Confections:

Hard candies
Brittles, toffee
Fudge
Chocolate-covered items
Caramels
Popcorn (including caramel corn and flavored)
Marshmallows

Snacks & Cereals:

Granola
Trail mix
Roasted nuts
Nut butters (peanut butter, almond butter)
Cereal bars
Crackers
Chips (potato, tortilla, etc. if dehydrated)

Condiments:

Honey
Maple syrup
Dried spice blends
Dry rubs
Tea blends
Coffee blends
Flavored salts and sugars

Baking Mixes:

Cake mixes
Cookie mixes
Pancake mixes
Brownie mixes
Biscuit mixes

Pickles and Acidified Foods:

Pickles (with proper pH testing)
Salsa (with pH testing)
Pickled vegetables
Other acidified products

Apple Butter and Low-Acid Preserves:

Apple butter
Pumpkin butter
Other fruit butters

More Baked Goods:

Broader interpretation of what's allowed
More decorating and ingredient flexibility

💡 Rule of Thumb: If it doesn't need refrigeration for safety and doesn't contain meat, dairy, or seafood, it's probably allowed in Oregon now.

What Products Are Prohibited Under Cottage Food Laws?

❌ Potentially Hazardous Foods (NOT Allowed)

Time/Temperature Control Foods (TCS):

Cream-filled pastries
Custard pies or cakes
Cheesecakes
Products with cream cheese frosting
Any items requiring refrigeration for safety

Dairy Products:

Cheese
Milk products
Yogurt
Ice cream

Meat, Poultry & Seafood:

Any products containing meat
Poultry products
Seafood or fish
Jerky

Other Prohibited:

Cannabis-infused products
Alcohol-infused products (except where alcohol cooks off completely)
Pet foods (different regulations)

Grey Area: Fermented Foods

Products like kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut:

Not explicitly allowed or prohibited
Carry food safety risks if not done properly
Check with Oregon Department of Agriculture before making

Current Revenue Limit

How Inflation Adjustment Works

Annual increase mechanism:

Cap adjusts each year based on Consumer Price Index (CPI)
Happens automatically - no legislation needed

Example projections:

Actual amounts depend on real inflation rates

Comparison with Other States

State	Revenue Cap	Inflation Adjustment?
North Dakota	Unlimited	N/A

Oregon is ahead of the curve by building in automatic adjustments!

What Counts Toward Your Cap

Included:

✅ All gross sales of cottage food products
✅ Shipping fees (if charged separately)

Not included:

❌ Sales tax collected

What If You Exceed the Cap?

Options:

Stop selling for remainder of calendar year
Obtain a Domestic Kitchen license:

Allows wider product range
Allows higher sales
Requires licensing and inspection
More stringent requirements

Food Safety Training (Required)

Oregon is one of the few cottage food states that requires food safety training - but it's affordable and valuable.

Training Requirement

Who needs training:

Every person who prepares cottage food for sale
Both business owner and any helpers

What's required:

Complete an approved food safety training course
Keep certificate on file

Approved Training Options

Oregon-approved courses:

ServSafe Food Handler

Widely recognized

Oregon State University Extension

Various food safety courses
Often free or low-cost
Oregon-specific content

Better Process Control School (BPCS)

For acidified foods (pickles, salsa)
Required if making these products
More intensive and expensive

Other ANSI-accredited courses

StateFoodSafety.com

Why Training Matters

Even though it's a requirement, food safety training is valuable:

✅ Protects your customers
✅ Protects your business from liability
✅ Teaches proper handling techniques
✅ Covers critical topics like pH testing, water activity
✅ Increases customer confidence

💡 Pro Tip: Complete training before you start producing. It's quick, affordable, and immediately applicable to your business.

What Are the Labeling Requirements for Cottage Food in Oregon?

Oregon has specific labeling requirements for cottage food products.

Required on Every Label

Product name

Common name of the food
Example: "Strawberry Jam"

Ingredients list

In descending order by weight
Include sub-ingredients
Example: "Ingredients: Strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, pectin"

Allergen declaration (if applicable)

Clearly stated
Example: "Contains: Wheat, Milk, Eggs"
Common allergens: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans

Net weight or volume
Your name and address

Business or personal name
Complete address (street, city, state, zip)

Required disclaimer statement

Exact wording: "This product is homemade, is not prepared in an inspected food establishment and must be stored and displayed separately if merchandised by a retailer"
Must be clearly visible

Example Compliant Label

Sarah's Jam Kitchen

STRAWBERRY JAM

Ingredients: Strawberries, sugar, lemon juice (water,
lemon juice concentrate), pectin


This product is homemade, is not prepared in an
inspected food establishment and must be stored
and displayed separately if merchandised by a
retailer

Label Design Tips

Formatting:

Make disclaimer statement prominent
Use clear, readable fonts
Adequate contrast for readability
Place on principal display panel

Optional additions:

Best by date
Storage instructions
Your logo or branding
Contact phone or email

Getting Started (No Registration!)

Oregon doesn't require registration, so you can start quickly after completing food safety training.

Quick Start Process

Enroll in approved course (ServSafe, OSU Extension, etc.)
Receive certificate
Keep certificate on file
Choose products to make
Test recipes
Ensure they're non-potentially hazardous
If making acidified foods, complete BPCS training
Design labels with all required information
Include exact disclaimer statement
Print labels (Avery labels, custom printed, etc.)
Make your products
Package with labels
Sell at approved venues

Business Administration

Recommended (not required by cottage food law):

Register business name (if using DBA)
Open business bank account
Set up bookkeeping system

Sales tax:

You don't need to collect or remit sales tax
Simplifies pricing and bookkeeping

Insurance:

Timeline

Where Can I Sell Cottage Food in Oregon?

Oregon cottage food law allows direct-to-consumer sales only.

✅ Allowed Sales Venues

Direct Sales:

Home sales (customers pick up from your residence)
Farmers markets (registered Oregon farmers markets)
Farm stands and roadside stands
Community events (festivals, fairs, craft shows)
Temporary events (holiday markets, pop-ups)

Online (Direct-to-Consumer within Oregon):

Your own website (with pickup or delivery)
Social media (Facebook, Instagram for orders)
Local food platforms
Online orders with delivery

Wholesale to Retail Stores:

✅ Selling to retail stores for resale (with separate display required)
⚠️ Retail stores must store and display cottage food products separately from commercially produced items

❌ NOT Allowed

Wholesale to Restaurants:

❌ Selling to restaurants or cafes
❌ Selling to catering services or food service establishments

Interstate:

❌ Shipping out of state (requires federal licenses)
❌ Sales to out-of-state customers

Record Keeping Requirements

Oregon requires cottage food producers to maintain sales records.

What Records to Keep

Required:

✅ Types of foods produced
✅ Gross revenue by year

Recommended (business best practices):

Sales by product
Sales by venue
Customer contact information
Ingredient costs
Business expenses
Quarterly sales summaries

Why Record Keeping Matters

Legal compliance:

Authorities can request records for verification

Business management:

Understand which products sell best
Make informed decisions about scaling

Tax purposes:

Report business income accurately
Claim legitimate business deductions
Prepare for potential audits

Common Questions About Oregon Cottage Food Laws

Q: Do I need to register with the state?

A: No! Oregon cottage food doesn't require registration, licensing, or permits. Just complete food safety training and start selling.

Q: Is food safety training really required?

Q: Can I make pickles and salsa now?

Complete Better Process Control School (BPCS) training
Follow certified processes
Document everything

Q: When does the revenue cap adjust for inflation?

Q: Does Oregon have sales tax?

A: No! Oregon is one of five states with no sales tax. This makes pricing simpler - you don't collect or remit sales tax.

Q: Can I sell online?

A: Yes, you can take orders online and sell directly to consumers within Oregon. You can coordinate pickup or delivery. You cannot ship out of state or wholesale online.

Q: Can I sell at multiple farmers markets?

A: Yes! You can sell at as many farmers markets and events as you'd like, as long as they're direct-to-consumer venues.

A: You must either stop selling cottage food for the remainder of the year or obtain a Domestic Kitchen license (which allows more sales but has stricter requirements).

Q: Do I need insurance?

Q: Can family members help me?

A: Yes, but each person who prepares food must complete food safety training. Keep all certificates on file.

Q: Can I make wedding cakes?

A: Yes! Custom cakes are allowed as long as they don't contain potentially hazardous fillings (cream, custard, cream cheese frosting). Buttercream frosting is fine.

Q: What if I want to wholesale to stores?

A: Cottage food doesn't allow wholesale. You'd need to obtain a Domestic Kitchen license or use a commercial kitchen with proper licensing.

Q: How long do I keep sales records?

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

Farmers Market Guides:

Oregon Farmers Market Permits: Complete 2026 Guide — ODA requirements, Domestic Kitchen exemption, application process, and fees

Start Selling Today

Oregon's streamlined cottage food process makes it easy to launch quickly.

Production:

Source ingredients
Make first batch
Package with compliant labels
Take product photos

Sales:

Apply to farmers markets
Set up social media accounts
Start taking orders
Make first sales!

Administration:

Set up bookkeeping system
Create sales tracking spreadsheet
Get business insurance
Open business bank account (optional but recommended)

Ongoing: Scale & Grow

Monthly:

Add new products
Expand to more markets
Build customer base

Quarterly:

Review sales data
Assess product performance
Adjust pricing if needed
Plan for seasonal products

Annually:

Calculate total annual sales
File taxes (report business income)
Review and update food safety training
Plan for next year's growth

Sources:

Oregon Senate Bill 643 (effective January 1, 2024) - Last verified: October 15, 2025
Oregon Department of Agriculture - Food Safety Division - Last verified: October 15, 2025
Oregon State University Extension Service - Last verified: October 15, 2025
Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) Chapter 616 - Last verified: October 15, 2025
Institute for Justice - Oregon cottage food resources - Last verified: October 15, 2025

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify current requirements with the Oregon Department of Agriculture, especially regarding acidified foods and pH testing. Cottage food laws can change.