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Neb. Rev. Stat. § 81-2,280 (LB 304, 2019; LB 262, July 19, 2024)High confidence

Cottage food law · Nebraska

NebraskaCottage Food Law

Nebraska cottage food law — what actually applies when you sell from home.

Nebraska has no cottage food revenue cap, but sellers do need free registration and food safety certification before starting. It is open, but not paperwork-free.

Why this matters

What Nebraska actually allows — and what it doesn't.

Nebraska permits cottage food sales under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 81-2,280 (LB 304, 2019; LB 262, July 19, 2024). The statute sets no revenue cap on cottage food sales. Registration with a state agency is required before you can sell.

Annual revenue cap

Nebraska sets no cap on cottage food revenue.

Annual gross cap

Unlimited

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 81-2,280 (LB 304, 2019; LB 262, July 19, 2024)

Sales channels

Where you can sell in Nebraska — and where you can't.

Online ordering

YesYes

Shipping

No

Federal restriction on uninspected food crossing state lines.

Seller delivery

YesYes

Third-party delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats)

NoNo

Interstate sales

NoNo

Wholesale to retail stores

NoNo

Registration & permits

Nebraska requires registration before you sell.

Registration

Required

Type: registration

Labeling standard

Standard

Inspection

None

Food safety certification

Required

Type: ansi accredited

Address privacy

Not available

Food categories

What usually sits outside this cottage food lane.

  • Meat
  • Poultry
  • Fish
  • Raw Eggs
  • Unpasteurized Juice
  • Infused Oils
  • Infused Honey
  • Sprouts
  • Low Acid Canned Foods
  • Hermetically Sealed Acidified Foods
  • Tofu
  • Tempeh
  • Fermented Foods

How to start

Steps to a legal first sale in Nebraska.

  1. Confirm your products qualify

    Compare your menu against Nebraska'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.

  2. Register with your state agency

    Nebraska requires cottage food operators to register before selling. Registration is free.

    Nebraska registration portal
  3. Complete food safety certification

    Nebraska requires food safety training before you can sell cottage food. Type: ansi accredited.

  4. Label every product correctly

    Every label must include your name (or registered ID), product name, ingredients, and allergens per Nebraska rules.

  5. Start taking orders

    Nebraska allows online orders, seller delivery. Route orders through your own channels — third-party couriers are not permitted here.

Frequently asked

Nebraska cottage food — your questions answered.

Do I need to register to sell cottage food in Nebraska?

Yes. Nebraska requires free registration under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 81-2,280 (LB 304, 2019; expanded by LB 262, effective July 19, 2024). Registration is online through the state's cottage food portal. ANSI-accredited food safety certification is also required before you register.

Is there a revenue cap?

No. Nebraska does not cap cottage food sales.

What can't I sell under Nebraska cottage food?

Meat, poultry, fish, raw eggs, unpasteurized juice, infused oils, infused honey, sprouts, low-acid canned foods, hermetically sealed acidified foods, tofu, tempeh, and fermented foods. The fermented-foods prohibition is notable — states like New Mexico and Hawaii now allow fermented items, but Nebraska still doesn't.

Do I need a home inspection?

No home inspection is required for cottage food. You do need the food safety certification before registering.

Nebraska cottage food laws: what is the short version?

Nebraska requires registration before selling cottage food. There is no state revenue cap in the current data. Nebraska allows online orders, seller delivery for cottage food sellers in the current data.

Do I need a cottage food registration in Nebraska?

Yes. Nebraska requires registration before selling cottage food. Check the official state source before selling because local zoning, food safety training, or label rules may still apply.

What foods can I sell from home in Nebraska?

Nebraska's cottage food lane is mainly for foods that do not need time or temperature control for safety. Common no-go categories include meat, poultry, fish, raw eggs, unpasteurized juice.

About VibeKitchen

The storefront tool this guide comes from.

VibeKitchen is a storefront and order-management tool for home food sellers — your own ordering page, your own checkout, your own customers. This guide explains the local rule landscape; the product helps organize the orders, pickup windows, payments, and customer records once you decide how you want to sell.