Selling homemade food in Washington

Allowed from a home kitchen

Sourdough bread · Cookies & brownies · Fruit pie · Strawberry jam · Chocolates & truffles · Toffee, fudge & caramels · Marshmallows

Needs a commercial kitchen or other license

Pumpkin pie · Cheesecake · Cake with cream cheese frosting · Meat tamales · Pepper jelly · Shelf-stable salsa · Fresh salsa (refrigerated) · Hot sauce · Canned pickles · Sauerkraut & kimchi · Canned tomato sauce · Garlic or herb-infused oil^‡ · Home-cooked meals^‡ · Beef jerky^‡ · Cheese & yogurt^‡ · Cold-pressed juice^‡ · Kombucha^‡

Ask the agency first

Cake with buttercream · Macarons · Fruit tamales · Low-sugar or freezer jam · Granola · Spice rubs & seasoning blends · Roasted coffee · Loose-leaf tea blends · Dried fruit & fruit leather · Freeze-dried candy · 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 non-potentially hazardous baked good, candy, jam, jelly, preserve, or fruit butter, or another food WSDA has approved by rule.
2. Everyone who prepares food needs a Washington food worker card.
3. Apply to WSDA for a cottage food permit: $75 public health review, $30 processing, and $125 inspection fees. Permits last two years.
4. Sell directly to consumers in person. Internet and mail-order sales aren't allowed.
5. Label every product.

Key label items

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

• “Made in a home kitchen that has not been subject to standard inspection criteria.”
• Name of the cottage food operation and permit number
• Product name
• Ingredients in descending order by weight
• Net weight or net volume
• Allergen labeling
• Nutrition labeling only if you make a claim