Selling homemade food in Rhode Island

Allowed from a home kitchen

Sourdough bread · Cookies & brownies · Fruit pie · Macarons

Needs a commercial kitchen or other license

Pumpkin pie · Cheesecake · Cake with cream cheese frosting · Fruit tamales · Meat tamales · Garlic or herb-infused oil^‡ · Home-cooked meals^‡ · Beef jerky^‡ · Cheese & yogurt^‡ · Cold-pressed juice^‡ · Kombucha^‡

Ask the agency first

Cake with buttercream · Strawberry jam · Low-sugar or freezer jam · Pepper jelly · Shelf-stable salsa · Fresh salsa (refrigerated) · Hot sauce · Canned pickles · Sauerkraut & kimchi · 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 · Vanilla extract · Fruit-infused vinegar · Mustard (no egg)

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 is a baked good that doesn't need refrigeration. Rhode Island's cottage law covers baked goods only.
2. Complete a food safety manager or ANSI food handler course.
3. Register with RIDOH ($65 a year) with a notarized affidavit, property sketch, product labels, and well water tests if applicable.
4. Sell directly to consumers. Online, mail, and phone orders are fine, but you or a designee must deliver in person in Rhode Island.
5. Label every product.

Key label items

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

• “Made by a Cottage Food Business Registrant that is not Subject to Routine Government Food Safety Inspection”
• Name, address, and phone number
• Ingredients in descending order by weight or volume
• Allergen information