Kentucky Cottage Food Law: Do You Need Food Safety Training?

Selling homemade food can be a great way to share your products and earn extra income, but every state has its own rules you need to follow.

Each state sets its own cottage food or “homemade food” laws that define what you can make, where and how you can sell it, and whether you need food safety training.

This article explains Kentucky’s home-based processing law and whether you need food safety training to sell homemade food.

Kentucky cottage food law

Kentucky’s home-based processing law allows residents to make and sell a wide range of shelf-stable foods directly to consumers, as long as they register with the state.

Allowed foods include:

• Dried herbs and spices
• Granola and dried grains
• Preserves and fruit butters
• Fruit pies and pecan pies
• Breads, cakes and cookies
• Popcorn (plain or seasoned)
• Nuts and trail or snack mixes
• Maple and sweet sorghum syrup
• Whole, dried, or freeze-dried fruits and vegetables
• Candy made without alcohol and with no bare-hand contact
• Jams and jellies (low-acid, low-sugar, and savory recipes may require approval)

All items must be shelf-stable and produced in your home kitchen.

You can have annually gross sales up to $60,000.

You may accept orders and payments online, by phone, or in person, but all sales must be delivered directly to people within the state. You can sell from your home, at farmers markets (non-permitted markets), roadside stands, and community events.

However, Kentucky does not allow shipping, wholesale sales, or sales outside the state.

Do you need food safety training to sell homemade food in Kentucky?

Kentucky does not require home-based processors to complete food safety training or hold a food handler card. But even if it’s not required, having one can give you meaningful advantages that help your business grow.

When people buy homemade food, they want to feel confident that what they’re bringing home was prepared safely. A food handler card shows that you understand the basics of safe food preparation and that you take their health — and your business — seriously.

Training can also open doors.

Some farmers markets, festivals, and event organizers in Kentucky require vendors to show proof of food safety training before they can sell. Insurance providers may also require food safety training or offer better rates to vendors who have completed a recognized course. Having a food handler card can make it easier to get coverage and may even lower your costs.

If you decide to get trained, choose a nationally recognized program.

FoodSafePal’s ANAB-accredited food handler course meets national standards, is fully online, and takes about 90 minutes to complete. After you pass, you’ll get instant access to your food handler card and certificate, plus the option to order a printed version for markets or your records.

Labeling requirements

Kentucky requires each product you make and sell to have a label with certain information.

Each label must include:

• The name and address of your home-based processing operation
• The product’s common name
• The date the product was processed
• Ingredients in descending order by weight
• Allergen information
• Net weight or net volume
• The statement in at least 10-point type: “This product is home-produced and processed”

The bottom line

Kentucky’s home-based processing program allows many types of shelf-stable products to be made and sold from your home kitchen, as long as you register with the state and follow sales limits and labeling rules.

Food safety training is not required, but completing an ANAB-accredited food handler course from FoodSafePal can improve safety, build customer trust, and help you meet expectations at markets or events.

Clear labeling is required for every product and helps customers feel confident in what they’re buying.

Ready to start selling your homemade goods with confidence? Visit FoodSafePal.com to get your Kentucky food handler card online in just 90 minutes.