How do I sell food I make at home (Cottage Food versus MEHKO)?

If you want to make, package and sell a food product to consumers, you may want to apply for a Cottage Food Operations permit. You can sell your packaged food directly to consumers or to a third party (such as a grocery store or restaurant), depending on what type of license you apply for.

You are only allowed to make and sell foods that are approved by the California Department of Public Health. Please consult this list for more details regarding what types of food are allowed to be produced under a Cottage Food Operation. Generally, this list includes:

• Baked goods without cream, custard, or meat filings
• Candy and confections
• Extracts containing at least 70 proof (35%) food-grade alcohol
• Dried, dehydrated, and freeze-dried foods
• Frostings, icings, fondants, and gum pastes that do not contain eggs, cream or cream cheese
• Honey and sorghum syrups
• Fruit butters, preserves, jams, and jellies
• Nut, nut mixes, and nut butters
• Powdered drink mixes made from manufactured ingredients
• Vinegars and mustards

There are 2 types of Cottage Food Operations permits:

• Class A: sell direct to consumers
• Class B: sell direct to consumers AND sell to local shops, restaurants, or other third-party locations

If you want to sell at community events, such as Farmer’s Markets or festivals, you will need a Temporary Food Facility permit.

If you want to sell food that you cook and serve in your own home, similar to a restaurant, you may want to apply for a Micro-Enterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKO) permit. The food you make is required to be eaten, picked up, or delivered from your home.

MEHKOs do have some restrictions, including:

• Sales limited to 30 meals per day or 90 meals per week, with gross annual sales capped at $100,000
• Only one MEHKO per site, and it cannot operate alongside a Cottage Food Operation
• Raw milk products and raw oysters are prohibited
• Dairy products and homemade ice cream are prohibited
• No outdoor signage or advertising

MEHKOs cannot be used for catering, sold at community events, or sold to wholesalers or retailers.

For more information MEHKOs, visit the COOK Alliance’s FAQ page.

Business Expansion Checklist

How do I start a contracting business?

How do I start an online store?

What is the contractors license exam and how do I prepare for it?

How do I sell alcohol as a retailer?

Thank you to the contributors from our local partner agencies, whose collaboration has been vital in providing the insights and expertise featured in each article. Their dedication and knowledge help us deliver high-quality, informative content to our community. We deeply appreciate their continued support and commitment to fostering information sharing and accessibility.

Permit Sonoma>>

Clerk Recorder Assessor Registrar of Voters>>

Environmental Health>>