Food Freedom (no cap) Last reviewed 2021-11-02
2026 reference
North Carolina Cottage Food Law
North Carolina's cottage food law sets no statewide revenue cap and a permit (NCDA&CS Home Processor registration) is required before the first sale. Direct to consumers only (farmers markets, home, events).
Watch for: No formal cottage food law — NC operates a voluntary Home Processor program with no cap but inspection required upfront.
Key facts
Annual revenue cap
No cap (Home Processor)
Permit / registration
NCDA&CS Home Processor registration
Kitchen inspection
Required
Food handler training
Not required
Acidified foods
Excluded
Interstate shipping
In-state only
Where you can sell
Direct to consumers only (farmers markets, home, events).
- Direct (in-person)
- Farmers markets
What's required before your first sale
NCDA&CS Home Processor registration required, including a home kitchen inspection.
Sources
Reference content only — not legal advice. State laws change frequently. Verify against the official source before launching.
Tools that work with North Carolina
Compare with nearby states
Run your North Carolina cottage food business in one place
Ardent Seller tracks ingredients, batches, labels, and revenue against your state's cap — built for cottage food producers.