Delaware Cottage Food Law

Delaware's cottage food law sets no statewide revenue cap and a permit (Delaware cottage food registration) is required before the first sale. Direct sales and farmers markets only — no online or shipping under Delaware cottage food.

Watch for: Delaware removed its sales cap in December 2023, but the upfront training cost and direct-only restriction are now the binding constraints.

Annual revenue cap

No cap (with inspection)

Permit / registration

Delaware cottage food registration

$30/year

Kitchen inspection

Required

Food handler training

Required

Acidified foods

Excluded

Interstate shipping

In-state only

Where you can sell

Direct sales and farmers markets only — no online or shipping under Delaware cottage food.

Direct (in-person)
Farmers markets

What's required before your first sale

Registration ($30/year), home kitchen inspection, an 8-hour state-approved food safety course (about $175), and label disclaimers required. Registration must be displayed at sales venues.

Label requirements

Name of the Cottage Food Establishment
Name of the product
The establishment's town or city followed by "Delaware" (as of the December 2023 amendment, a full home street address is no longer required)
Phone number OR email of the establishment
Net weight or unit count
Date of production OR a lot number
Ingredients in descending order by weight (may be furnished on request if the label is too small)
The food source of each major food allergen (unless already in the ingredient name)
Verbatim disclosure required by 16 Del. Admin. Code § 4458A-8.2.4, in at least 10-point type in a color that contrasts with the background: "This food is made in a Cottage Food Establishment and is NOT subject to routine Government Food Safety Inspections" (the codified text carries no trailing period)

How Ardent Seller helps

Generate your Delaware disclosure label in one click

Ardent Seller assembles a print-ready cottage food label for Delaware from data you already track — the state's required disclosure statement rendered verbatim (and sized to meet the state's minimum type size where one applies), your operator info, ingredients in descending order by weight, the federal "Contains:" allergen line, net weight, and lot code. A validation checklist flags anything Delaware requires that's missing before you print. Included on every plan.

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