Sellers
How to Start Selling Food From Home in Michigan
If you make jams, baked goods, granola, or other homemade food products, Michigan's cottage food law might be your ticket to turning a hobby into income. The law allows home-based food producers to sell certain products directly to consumers without a commercial kitchen or food license — and platforms like Rootly make it easier than ever to find customers.
What is Michigan's Cottage Food Law?
Michigan's Cottage Food Law (Public Act 208 of 2010, amended by PA 208 of 2017) allows individuals to prepare and sell certain foods from their home kitchen without a food establishment license from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).
The law was designed to lower barriers for small food entrepreneurs. Instead of requiring tens of thousands of dollars in commercial kitchen equipment and licensing fees, it lets you start with your existing home kitchen and grow from there.
What can you sell under the cottage food law?
The key requirement is that products must not require time or temperature control for safety. This generally means:
Allowed products: - Baked goods (bread, cookies, cakes, muffins, pies, pastries) - Candy and confections (fudge, toffee, brittles) - Jams, jellies, and preserves (with proper acidity) - Dried fruits, herbs, and tea blends - Granola, trail mix, and popcorn - Honey (raw or infused) - Maple syrup - Dry baking mixes - Roasted coffee beans - Fruit butters and nut butters (processed to be shelf-stable)
Not allowed under cottage food: - Anything requiring refrigeration (dairy, meat, eggs, cream-filled pastries) - Fermented foods (kimchi, kombucha, sauerkraut — these require a license) - Canned vegetables (low-acid foods require commercial processing) - Any product containing meat, poultry, or fish
Revenue limits and labeling requirements
Annual revenue cap: Michigan cottage food producers can earn up to $25,000 per year in gross sales. If you exceed this, you'll need to obtain a food establishment license and operate from a licensed kitchen.
Required labeling: Every product must include a label with: - Product name - Name and address of the cottage food operation - Date the product was made - Ingredients listed in descending order of weight - Allergen information (the eight major allergens) - The statement: "Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development"
Sales channels: You can sell at farmers markets, farm stands, directly from your home, and through online platforms. The law requires direct sale to the end consumer — you cannot sell wholesale to stores or restaurants.
How to actually get started
Step 1: Choose your products wisely
Start with what you do well and what people ask you for. If everyone raves about your sourdough bread or your grandmother's jam recipe, that's your starting product. Don't try to launch with 20 items — start with two or three and expand as demand grows.
Step 2: Get your labeling right
Print proper labels before your first sale. Include all required information. This is not optional — it's a legal requirement and a consumer trust signal. A clean, professional label also makes your product more appealing.
Step 3: Set up a simple online presence
This is where Rootly comes in. Instead of managing orders through text messages and cash payments, create a store on Rootly and list your products with photos, descriptions, and prices. Buyers in your area can discover you, place orders, and pick up at a time that works for both of you.
Step 4: Price for profit
Many home food producers underprice their products. Calculate your actual costs: - Ingredients per batch - Packaging and labels - Your time (yes, your labor has value) - Platform fees or market booth fees
A common rule of thumb: your retail price should be at least three times your ingredient cost. Don't race to the bottom on price — buyers who value local, homemade food expect to pay a fair price.
Step 5: Tell people you exist
Share your Rootly store link on social media. Text it to friends and neighbors. Print a QR code and bring it to community events. The hardest part of selling food from home isn't making the food — it's getting discovered.
Beyond cottage food: when to level up
If your cottage food business takes off and you're approaching the $25,000 annual limit, it might be time to consider:
Getting a food establishment license. This removes the revenue cap and allows you to sell a wider range of products, including refrigerated items.
Using a shared commercial kitchen. Michigan has several commercial kitchen rental spaces that let you produce at scale without building your own facility.
Upgrading your Rootly plan. Our Verified plan includes tools for higher-volume sellers, including events, advanced analytics, and a verified badge that builds buyer trust.
Common mistakes to avoid
Selling prohibited items. Don't sell cream cheese frosted cakes, cheesecakes, or anything requiring refrigeration under the cottage food exemption. The penalties aren't worth the risk.
Skipping labels. Even at a casual farm stand, every product needs a proper label. Enforcement varies by county, but getting it right from day one protects you and your customers.
Ignoring food safety. The cottage food law doesn't require inspections, but that doesn't mean food safety doesn't matter. Keep a clean kitchen, wash your hands, store ingredients properly, and track your batches.
Ready to start selling? Check our full seller requirements guide for Michigan regulations, then create your Rootly store and start reaching local buyers today.