Why this matters
What Arkansas actually allows — and what it doesn't.
Arkansas Food Freedom Act (Act 1040 of 2021), Ark. Code § 20-57-501 et seq., effective July 28, 2021, replacing the prior Cottage Food Law.
Annual revenue cap
Arkansas sets no cap on cottage food revenue.
Annual gross cap
Unlimited
Required label language
Every package carries a statutory disclaimer.
The disclaimer below must appear on every package, in the exact casing the statute specifies:
Required on every label
This product was produced in a private residence that is exempt from state licensing and inspection. This product may contain allergens.
— Arkansas Food Freedom Act, Act 1040 of 2021, Ark. Code § 20-57-501 et seq.
Sales channels
Where you can sell in Arkansas — and where you can't.
Online ordering
YesYesShipping
YesYesSeller delivery
YesYesThird-party delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats)
YesYesInterstate sales
YesYesWholesale to retail stores
NoNoRegistration & permits
Arkansas does not require state registration.
- Registration
Not required
- Labeling standard
Standard
- Inspection
None
- Food safety certification
Not required
- Address privacy
Available
Via state unique id
Food categories
What usually sits outside this cottage food lane.
- Tcs
- Meat
- Poultry
- Seafood
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Dairy
- Eggs
- Cut Produce
- Cut Leafy Greens
- Cut Tomatoes
- Cut Melons
- Garlic In Oil
- Raw Seed Sprouts
- Low Acid Canned Goods
How to start
Steps to a legal first sale in Arkansas.
Confirm your products qualify
Compare your menu against Arkansas's cottage food lane. Temperature-controlled, meat, seafood, and low-acid canned items often require a different path; check the state-specific food categories above.
Optional: register for address privacy
Arkansas does not require registration, but offers an optional ID that replaces your home address on labels.
Agency pageLabel every product correctly
Every label must include your name (or registered ID), product name, ingredients, allergens, and the statute-required disclaimer verbatim.
Start taking orders
Arkansas allows online orders, in-state shipping, seller delivery. Route orders through your own channels.
Frequently asked
Arkansas cottage food — your questions answered.
Do I need to register to sell cottage food in Arkansas?
No. The Arkansas Food Freedom Act (Act 1040 of 2021, Ark. Code § 20-57-501 et seq.) requires no registration to start selling. An optional ID number is available from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture for address privacy — you can put it on labels instead of your home address.
Is there a revenue cap on homemade food sales?
No. Arkansas has no cap on homemade food sales. You can scale without hitting a ceiling.
Can I ship my products out of state?
Yes. Arkansas is one of only six US states that explicitly allows interstate cottage food commerce, under § 20-57-504(b)(2), provided you comply with federal law. Most states restrict cottage food to in-state sales only. You can also use third-party carriers like USPS and FedEx within Arkansas, hire an agent to deliver, or sell through third-party vendors.
Can I sell my products to restaurants or grocery stores?
Grocery stores and retail shops, yes — the statute treats them as approved third-party vendors. Restaurants, no — they are explicitly not approved sources under Arkansas rules.
What do my labels need to include?
Production date, your name, address, and phone (or ID number if you registered for privacy), product name, ingredients in descending order, and the disclaimer: "This product was produced in a private residence that is exempt from state licensing and inspection. This product may contain allergens."
Arkansas cottage food laws: what is the short version?
Arkansas does not require state registration for the cottage food lane. There is no state revenue cap in the current data. Arkansas allows online orders, in-state shipping, seller delivery for cottage food sellers in the current data.
Do I need a cottage food license in Arkansas?
Not for the cottage food lane in the current data. Arkansas may still have label, food-category, local zoning, or other business rules, so check the official source before you sell.
What foods can I sell from home in Arkansas?
Arkansas's cottage food lane is mainly for foods that do not need time or temperature control for safety. Common no-go categories include tcs, meat, poultry, seafood, fish.