A Real-World Guide for Gardeners, Bakers & Backyard Producers
It’s that time of year! You’ve got eggs piling up from your hens, honey will be ready to extract soon, and early season produce is ready for harvest. Meanwhile, there are people lined up asking if they can buy some. But can you legally sell homemade and homegrown food in Ohio?
Short answer: Yes, sometimes. Ohio’s cottage food laws make it possible, especially if you’re selling small batches of shelf-stable food directly to your local community.
✅ What You Can Sell Without a License
Ohio allows you to sell certain “cottage foods” from your home kitchen—no license or inspection required. These usually include:
- Baked goods (no cream fillings)
- Jams & jellies (made with high-acid fruit)
- Candy, granola, popcorn
- Dry herbs and spice mixes
- Honey (if you’re the one producing it)
You’ll just need to follow basic labeling rules, and only sell within Ohio.
🔗 Full list from the Ohio Department of Agriculture
⚠️ What Requires Extra Steps
Some foods are considered higher risk and need additional permits or inspections—like:
- Meat and poultry
- Dairy and cheese
- Pressure-canned foods (like green beans or salsa)
Eggs can be sold directly in Ohio if you follow a few rules:
- They must be clean and uncracked
- You need to include your name and address on the carton
- You can sell them direct to consumer only
🏷️ What About Labels?
Even cottage foods need a label with:
- Your name and address
- The name of the product
- Ingredients (by weight)
- The statement: “This product is home produced.”
Keep it simple and honest. That’s the whole idea.
🧺 Where Can You Sell?
If you’re following the cottage food rules, you can sell:
- From home (porch pickup, farm stand, etc.)
- At farmers markets or events
- Online—but only to Ohio buyers
You can’t sell to stores or ship out of state unless you’re fully licensed.
📌 Know the Rules Before You Sell
Even if a license isn’t required, you may still need to follow regulations for:
- Labeling and disclaimers
- Safe preparation and storage
- Where and how you sell your products
This post isn’t legal advice—we’re just pointing you in the right direction.
🔗 Read Ohio’s Official Cottage Food Guide
The Ohio Department of Agriculture keeps this page updated and easy to read—no law degree needed.
GreensShare is here to help small growers and makers share what they love—locally, legally, and confidently.
Got experience selling food in Ohio? Share your tips—we’d love to feature real producer voices here.
