Confirm with the NC Dept. of Agriculture.
- Baked goods
- Candy
- Jams and jellies
- Dried fruits and nuts
- Granola and popcorn
- Honey
Meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, and potentially hazardous foods.
Direct to consumer at farmers markets, stands, and from home.
Producer name and address, ingredients, allergen statement, and 'Made in a home kitchen.'
No permit required for low-risk cottage foods; confirm local rules.
Official sourcePrintable permit guides
Download a ready-to-print guide for North Carolina — take it to your inspector, keep it on file, or share it.
In-depth guide
A step-by-step permit pathway, sales-channel breakdown, and labeling checklist for North Carolina.
In-depth guide for North Carolina
Unlock a step-by-step permit pathway, sales-channel breakdown, and labeling checklist with Premium.
Unlock with Premium New to selling?Read our labeling and food safety guide before your first sale.Compare with another state
See how this state's cottage food rules stack up against any other.
Get notified when North Carolina cottage food laws change
We'll email you when North Carolina updates its cottage food rules — no account needed, unsubscribe anytime.
We'll only use your email to send North Carolina cottage food law updates.
Reference only. Laws change — always confirm with your state's agriculture or health department.