Selling homemade food in Iowa

Allowed from a home kitchen

Sourdough bread · Cookies & brownies · Fruit pie · Macarons · Strawberry jam · Pepper jelly · Shelf-stable salsa · Hot sauce · Canned pickles · Canned tomato sauce · Granola · Spice rubs & seasoning blends · Roasted coffee · Loose-leaf tea blends · Dried fruit & fruit leather · Freeze-dried candy · Chocolates & truffles · Toffee, fudge & caramels · Marshmallows · Nut butter · Pure honey · Infused honey · Fruit-infused vinegar · Mustard (no egg)

Home kitchen, with a special license or program

Pumpkin pie · Cheesecake · Cake with cream cheese frosting · Fruit tamales · Fresh salsa (refrigerated) · Home-cooked meals

Needs a commercial kitchen or other license

Meat tamales · Vanilla extract · Garlic or herb-infused oil^‡ · Beef jerky^‡ · Cheese & yogurt · Cold-pressed juice · Kombucha^‡

Ask the agency first

Cake with buttercream · Low-sugar or freezer jam · Sauerkraut & kimchi

Every product has conditions, such as registration, training, labeling, and sales limits. See the full guide for each one. ‡ General rule; not specifically addressed in this state's guidance.

How to start

1. Check that the product doesn't need refrigeration. Home-canned pickles, vegetables, and fruits are covered and need a canning date on the label.
2. No license, permit, or inspection is needed.
3. Sell directly to consumers in person, by phone, or online, and deliver yourself, through an agent, or by mail.
4. Label every product.

Key label items

Use the exact required wording shown in the full guide and on the agency's site.

• “This product was produced at a residential property that is exempt from state licensing and inspection.”
• Name, plus address, phone, or email of the person who made it
• Common name of the food
• Ingredients in descending order
• Each major allergen by common name
• Home-canned pickles, vegetables, or fruits: processing and canning date