Cottage Food Laws by State
Maine Cottage Food Laws
Maine requires a $20/year Home Food Processor License and home inspection. There is no annual revenue cap and a wide range of venues is permitted including retail and restaurants.
Annual cap
No cap
Permit required
Yes
Venues
3
Last updated
2026
What You Can Sell
The following product types are permitted under the Maine cottage food law.
Baked Goods
Permitted- Cakes and cupcakes
- Cookies and brownies
- Muffins and quick breads
- Yeast breads and rolls
- Fruit pies (cream and custard pies require refrigeration and are not permitted)
- Cake pops and dipped treats
- Donuts and pastries
Candies and Confections
Permitted- Chocolates and fudge
- Hard candies and lollipops
- Toffee and caramel (shelf-stable)
- Cake truffles
Preserved and Dry Goods
Permitted- Jams, jellies, and preserves
- Honey and honeycomb
- Dried herbs and spices
- Roasted nuts and trail mix
- Granola and cereal
- Popcorn and flavored popcorn
- Dried pasta (no egg)
Beverages
Permitted- Coffee (roasted or ground, not brewed)
- Dry tea blends
What You Cannot Sell
These product types are not covered by the Maine cottage food law and require a commercial kitchen license.
- Meat, poultry, and seafood products
- Dairy products (milk, cheese, butter)
- Items requiring refrigeration (cream pies, cheesecakes)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Fruit and vegetable juices
- Canned low-acid vegetables
Where You Can Sell
Maine permits cottage food sales at the following venues.
Direct from your home
Farmers markets
Roadside stands
Annual Sales Cap
No cap
No annual revenue cap. $20/year Home Food Processor License and home inspection required.
Permit and Registration
A permit or registration is required
Requires a $20/year Home Food Processor License and home inspection from the Maine Dept of Agriculture.
What a Compliant Maine Label Looks Like
Quickly Cottage builds your ingredient list, detects allergens, and adds the required disclosure automatically.
Product
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake Pops
Net Wt: 8 oz (227g)
Sunflower Home Bakery
412 Maple Ave, Springfield, ME
Ingredients:
Enriched Bleached Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Sugar, Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Leavening (Baking Soda, Sodium Aluminum Phosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate), Corn Starch, Salt, Soybean Oil; Sugar, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Milkfat, Soy Lecithin, Vanilla; Sugar, Corn Starch, Vegetable Oil (Palm), Confectioner's Glaze, Carnauba Wax, FD&C Colors; Water, Propylene Glycol, FD&C Red 40.
Contains:
Label Requirements
Every cottage food product sold in Maine must have a label that includes the following.
| Required field |
|---|
| All 9 FDA major allergens present |
| Complete ingredient list, in descending order by weight |
| Business name |
| Business address |
| Product name |
| Net weight |
Generate your Maine label in minutes
Ingredient lists, allergens, and the required disclosure — built in automatically.
Maine Cottage Food — Common Questions
No. Maine does not require any permit or license for cottage food producers.
Maine's annual cap is $20,000 in gross revenue, which is lower than many other states.
Yes. Farmers markets are a permitted venue for Maine cottage food sellers.
You can accept orders online, but all sales must be completed in person. Carrier shipping is not permitted.
Law reference: Maine Cottage Food Law (Maine Revised Statutes, Title 7, Section 2152) · Last updated 2026 · Always verify requirements with your state's department of agriculture before selling.
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