Can you sell strawberry jam from home?

47 of 51 jurisdictions (50 states plus DC) allow strawberry jam to be made in a home kitchen under cottage food rules, often with conditions, and 1 more allow it with a special home license or program. Here's why, and where each state lands.

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The food science

Traditional jam is shelf-stable because of two factors working together: high sugar and natural fruit acid. Sugar binds water and lowers water activity, while the acid keeps the pH low. Some states, including California, refer to the federal standard of identity for jams, which sets the fruit-to-sugar ratio. This is why classic jam is one of the most widely allowed cottage foods.

Where strawberry jam can be made at home

Allowed from a home kitchenHome kitchen, with a special license or programNot clearly addressed: ask first

Select a state to open its guide. Every state's conditions are listed below the map.

Allowed from a home kitchen (47)

Alabama. Jams, jellies, preserves, and marmalades are allowed.
Alaska. Eligible.
Arizona. Allowed.
Arkansas. Jams, jellies, and fruit butters are allowed.
California. Fruit jams are approved if they meet the federal standard of identity (21 CFR 150), which sets the fruit-to-sugar ratio and lists allowed fruits.
Colorado. Jams and jellies are cottage foods.
Connecticut. Jams and jellies meeting 21 CFR 150 are allowed.
Delaware. Jams, jellies, and marmalades are allowed.
Florida. Jams, jellies, and fruit butters made from fruit are allowed.
Georgia. Jams, jellies, and preserves are on GDA's list.
Hawaii. Jams and jellies are allowed, and are the only canned foods permitted.
Idaho. Allowed.
Illinois. Jams and jellies are allowed.
Indiana. Jams and jellies made from acidic fruits, sugar, and pectin are allowed.
Iowa. Home-canned fruits are covered.
Kansas. Standard jams and jellies are allowed with labeling.
Kentucky. Certain jams, jellies, preserves, and fruit butters are on the list.
Louisiana. Jams, jellies, and preserves are covered.
Maine. Jams and jellies are allowed; most don't need testing if they meet standards of identity.
Maryland. Hot-filled jams, jellies, and preserves from fruits with a natural pH of 4.6 or below are allowed.
Massachusetts. Jams and jellies are allowed.
Michigan. Jams and jellies are allowed.
Minnesota. Jams and jellies are allowed; canned ones need pH 4.6 or below.
Mississippi. Jams meeting 21 CFR 150 are allowed.
Missouri. Canned jams and jellies are one of the three categories in the law.
Montana. Allowed.
Nebraska. Traditional pectin jams and jellies are allowed.
Nevada. Jams and jellies are allowed.
New Hampshire. Jams and jellies are allowed; some need a process review.
New Mexico. Standard high-sugar jams and jellies are allowed.
New York. Jams, jellies, and marmalades from listed high-acid fruits are allowed.
North Carolina. Jams, jellies, and preserves are eligible.
North Dakota. Allowed.
Ohio. Fruit jams, jellies, and butters are allowed.
Oklahoma. Allowed.
Oregon. Jams, jellies, and fruit butters from fruits with natural pH of 4.6 or below are allowed.
Pennsylvania. Jams and jellies are allowed.
South Carolina. Shelf-stable jams and jellies are generally allowed; check SCDA's full guidance list.
South Dakota. Home-canned high-acid foods are allowed.
Tennessee. Allowed.
Texas. Jams and jellies are allowed.
Utah. Allowed; also on UDAF's cottage list for store sales.
Vermont. Jams and jellies are cottage foods.
Virginia. Jams and jellies like strawberry, blueberry, grape, and peach are allowed.
Washington. Jams, jellies, preserves, and fruit butters are cottage foods.
West Virginia. Shelf-stable jams are allowed.
Wyoming. Allowed.

Home kitchen, with a special license or program (1)

Wisconsin. Fruit jams and jellies are covered by the home-canned foods exemption.

Not clearly addressed: ask the agency first (3)

District of Columbia. Approved per application; hermetically sealed jars are restricted.
New Jersey. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.
Rhode Island. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance.

Developing strawberry jam?

Mendocino Food Consulting helps food entrepreneurs with formulation, pH, and shelf-stability questions. We are food scientists, not attorneys, and we don't provide legal advice.

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Rules summarized from the sources listed in each state's guide, reviewed October 2026. Each state's conditions and exceptions are described in its guide; confirm with the agency before selling.