North Carolina cottage food law: the home processor program

NCDA&CS says low-risk foods are the only products allowed in a home kitchen. Its examples are shelf-stable baked goods, jams and preserves, candies, dry mixes and spices, some liquids, some sauces and freeze-dried candies.

Sauces must first be tested for shelf stability. If you want to make pickles or other acidified foods, contact the office first. You may be asked to take an Acidified Food Course.

NCDA&CS says high-risk food products are not permitted in your home kitchen. It lists these exclusions:

• Refrigerated or frozen products
• Low-acid canned goods
• Dairy and seafood
• Bottled water or juice
• Cream or cream-cheese-filled bakery items and cheesecakes

NCDA&CS says "a permit is not issued, but inspectors will provide the home processor with a copy of the inspection report." You apply by email to homeprocessing@ncagr.gov or by mail, using the home processor application. NCDA&CS says a Food Regulatory Specialist will contact you within about 8 to 12 weeks. The page does not list a fee.

If you use a municipal water supply, send a recent water bill or a letter from your leasing office. If you use a private well, send coliform and E. coli results from a certified lab dated within a year of your application. Store-bought test kits are not accepted.

NCDA&CS says you cannot manufacture food from your home kitchen if a pet enters the home at any time, including overnight. Kitchens in a garage, basement or separate building do not qualify. No general food-handler training requirement is stated on the page.

Check with your local or county planning department before you start. Also check HOA and lease rules.

The NCDA&CS page covers sales to retail stores, restaurants and directly to consumers. It mentions consumer pickup from your home, delivery and special events such as weddings. Farmers' markets are mentioned too, and over-the-counter products may be exempt from labeling.

If you ship by USPS or FedEx, products need labels. The page does not mention online ordering or out-of-state sales, so ask NCDA&CS when you apply.

Labels are required for individually packaged self-service products, wholesale sales and shipped products. The only exemption from an affixed label is food sold on demand directly to the customer.

• The product name
• Your name and address as manufacturer
• Net weight in ounces or pounds and in grams
• A complete ingredient list
• All allergens in the ingredient statement or a "Contains" statement
• Nutrition labels only if you make nutritional claims

• Confirm every product is low-risk and shelf-stable.
• Make sure no pet ever enters the home where you cook.
• Get your water proof: a recent bill, or a well test within a year.
• Email the home processor application to NCDA&CS and plan for 8 to 12 weeks.
• Check county planning, HOA and lease rules.
• Design labels for anything you ship, sell wholesale or leave on a self-service table.
• Ask NCDA&CS in writing whether online ordering is covered.

NCDA&CS describes consumer pickup from the home, delivery and special events. pickup.kitchen is built for that: your own site at yourname.pickup.kitchen, a menu with photos, pickup windows, and payments to your own Stripe account.

Because the page does not spell out online ordering, ask NCDA&CS when you apply, and keep the answer. While your application is processed, set up your menu and slots so you are ready to open. Slots close when full, so a weekly drop stays small.

If you deliver, the delivery tools plan your route and send it to your phone, with a photo at the door. Your customer list keeps every buyer for the next batch. Free onboarding, pay as you use.

Checked November 2026 against the official North Carolina sources linked below. Laws change, so open the official page before you print labels or take your first order.

This is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Check with your state and county before you sell.