Maine Cottage Food Laws (2026): Selling Homemade Food Legally
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Permit and tax rules change, and your situation may differ. Always confirm current requirements with the official state agency linked in this guide, and consult a licensed attorney or tax professional for advice about your specific business.Last verified against official state sources: 2026-06-12
Quick answer
- Law / program
- Maine Home Food License (22 M.R.S. 2167) plus the Maine Food Sovereignty Act (7 M.R.S. Ch. 8-F)
- Regulated by
- Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF), Quality Assurance and Regulations
- Annual sales cap
- none on either path
- Official details
- State cottage food page
Do you need a license to sell homemade food in Maine?
Yes, with a uniquely Maine exception. Standard path: a $20/year Home Food License from DACF with a one-time initial kitchen inspection (two-bay sink or dishwasher, well water testing), plus a Mobile Vendor License for selling at markets and fairs. The exception: 100+ towns have adopted Food Sovereignty Act ordinances exempting direct producer-to-consumer sales from state licensing entirely, so check your town office first.
None required; UMaine Extension offers optional training and recipe testing.
What foods are allowed
Broad for a licensed home kitchen: any shelf-stable non-PHF food including cookies, candies, jams, and notably pickles, relishes, and BBQ sauces. Maine allows home-canned and acidified foods, but every canned shelf-stable recipe must first be reviewed by UMaine Food Testing Services or another process authority. Sovereignty-town direct sales cover an even wider list including dairy, canned goods, and meals.
Under a Home Food License, anything requiring refrigeration or freezing for safety needs a commercial processing license. Even in sovereignty towns, meat and poultry inspection requirements apply without exception.
Where you can sell and how much
Licensed path is among the broadest anywhere: from home, to retail stores, and at wholesale throughout Maine and the United States per DACF, with the Mobile Vendor License covering farmers markets and fairs. Sovereignty path: direct producer-to-consumer transactions in adopting towns, including roadside stands, farmers markets, fundraisers, buying clubs, and CSAs; wholesale still requires licensing everywhere.
Annual sales cap: none on either path.
In-person events are where most cottage food sellers move product. Browse upcoming craft fairs in Maine to find shows with dates, booth fees, and application deadlines.
Labeling requirements
For sales outside the home: the product's common name, ingredients in descending order by weight, net quantity, and your name, address, and zip. No label is required for direct sales from your home.
Sales tax and local rules
Grocery staples are exempt (jam, honey, maple syrup, and bread are specifically listed as exempt), but candy, fudge, and gummies are taxable, and ready-to-eat baked goods made by the seller count as prepared food taxed at 8 percent. A typical fair table is mixed, so register with Maine Revenue Services if selling taxable items.
Local rules matter more in Maine than almost anywhere: 100+ municipalities have food sovereignty ordinances (no official registry exists, so confirm with the town office), and outside those towns normal municipal permits and zoning apply.
Operating an unlicensed food establishment is a civil violation with fines up to $500 per offense, plus license suspension or revocation authority.
Selling non-food crafts too? See the Maine craft fair permit and sales tax guide.
Maine cottage food FAQ
Can I sell homemade food in Maine?
Yes, under Maine Home Food License (22 M.R.S. 2167) plus the Maine Food Sovereignty Act (7 M.R.S. Ch. 8-F). Yes, with a uniquely Maine exception. Standard path: a $20/year Home Food License from DACF with a one-time initial kitchen inspection (two-bay sink or dishwasher, well water testing), plus a Mobile Vendor License for selling at markets and fairs. The exception: 100+ towns have adopted Food Sovereignty Act ordinances exempting direct producer-to-consumer sales from state licensing entirely, so check your town office first.
What foods can I sell under Maine's cottage food law?
Broad for a licensed home kitchen: any shelf-stable non-PHF food including cookies, candies, jams, and notably pickles, relishes, and BBQ sauces. Maine allows home-canned and acidified foods, but every canned shelf-stable recipe must first be reviewed by UMaine Food Testing Services or another process authority. Sovereignty-town direct sales cover an even wider list including dairy, canned goods, and meals. Under a Home Food License, anything requiring refrigeration or freezing for safety needs a commercial processing license. Even in sovereignty towns, meat and poultry inspection requirements apply without exception.
Is there a sales limit for cottage food in Maine?
Yes: none on either path.
Where can I sell cottage food in Maine?
Licensed path is among the broadest anywhere: from home, to retail stores, and at wholesale throughout Maine and the United States per DACF, with the Mobile Vendor License covering farmers markets and fairs. Sovereignty path: direct producer-to-consumer transactions in adopting towns, including roadside stands, farmers markets, fundraisers, buying clubs, and CSAs; wholesale still requires licensing everywhere.
What has to be on my label in Maine?
For sales outside the home: the product's common name, ingredients in descending order by weight, net quantity, and your name, address, and zip. No label is required for direct sales from your home.
Do I charge sales tax on cottage food in Maine?
Grocery staples are exempt (jam, honey, maple syrup, and bread are specifically listed as exempt), but candy, fudge, and gummies are taxable, and ready-to-eat baked goods made by the seller count as prepared food taxed at 8 percent. A typical fair table is mixed, so register with Maine Revenue Services if selling taxable items.
Find places to sell in Maine
Browse upcoming craft fairs and markets in Maine with booth fees and application deadlines, and use the booth ROI calculator to plan a profitable season.
Official sources
- Maine DACF, Home Food License 101
- Maine Food Sovereignty Act, 7 M.R.S. 284
- Maine DACF, Permits and Licenses
- Maine Revenue Services, Bulletin 12, Retailers of Food Products
- 22 M.R.S. 2167, License Required
Last verified: 2026-06-12. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.