New YorkCottage Food Law

Yes — but it's free, mail-only, and one-time. The Home Processor Exemption registration is filed with the New York Department of Agriculture & Markets, takes about two weeks to approve, and never expires. There's no online application, no renewal, and no fee. You do need to submit it before your first sale.

No. The exemption has no sales cap — you can scale as large as your kitchen allows. Note: A5836 (2025), the proposed "Homegrown Foods Act," would ADD a $12,500 cap in exchange for expanding allowed foods to include pickles, sauerkraut, and dried produce. It's been referred to the Agriculture Committee but hasn't advanced. For existing sellers, this bill would be a step backward.

No. Chocolate is explicitly prohibited under the Home Processor Exemption because of foodborne illness risk from unmonitored melting and tempering. You can sell hard candy, toffee, and caramels, but nothing involving melted or tempered chocolate — including chocolate-dipped strawberries, bark, bonbons, or chocolate-covered pretzels.

Fruit and vegetable breads (banana bread, zucchini bread) are prohibited — they're treated as potentially hazardous because of moisture content. Raw nuts are prohibited; if your recipe calls for nuts, they must be commercially roasted. You also must use commercially processed versions of dried herbs and spices, baking mixes, soup mixes, dried fruits and vegetables. No-bake items and fresh-squeezed beverages are out. All standard TCS categories (meat, dairy, eggs, fish) are also prohibited.

Online sales are a known ambiguity — official New York guidance is inconsistent about whether online/shipped sales are allowed or pickup-only is required. Some published sources say in-state shipping is allowed; others say sales must be pickup at the processor's home or a farmers' market. Check with Ag & Markets directly before scaling online. Wholesale to restaurants, stores, and cafes IS allowed under the Home Processor Exemption.

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

Yes. New York 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.

New York'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, dairy, eggs.