New Hampshire Cottage Food Laws

New Hampshire uses revenue as the trigger for licensing rather than as a hard ceiling, which is a friendlier structure for growing bakers.

Fast facts

Permit
License required above $35,000 in sales
Annual sales cap
$35,000/yr before licensing kicks in
Online sales
Limited
Shipping
Not allowed

What makes New Hampshire different

  • Under $35,000 in annual sales you can operate as a homestead food operation with no license
  • Above that threshold you need a homestead food license
  • Selling into retail stores requires the license tier

Where you can sell in New Hampshire

  • Direct to consumer
  • Farmers markets
  • Retail (licensed)
  • Events

What you can and can't make

New Hampshire follows the standard cottage food logic: shelf-stable items are in, anything needing refrigeration is out. Check the New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services product list for state-specific exceptions.

Generally allowed

  • Breads, rolls, biscuits and buns
  • Cakes, cupcakes and brownies (without cream-cheese or custard fillings)
  • Cookies, bars and biscotti
  • Fruit pies and fruit-filled pastries
  • Candy, brittle, fudge and chocolate-covered items
  • Dry mixes, granola, popcorn and roasted nuts
  • Jams, jellies and preserves made from high-acid fruit

Generally prohibited

  • Cheesecake and cream-cheese frostings or fillings
  • Custard, meringue, pudding and Bavarian-cream pies
  • Anything containing meat, poultry or seafood
  • Fresh-dairy items, ice cream and buttercream that requires refrigeration
  • Canned vegetables, salsas and other low-acid canned goods
  • Garlic-in-oil, pickled goods and fermented foods (in most states)
  • Kombucha, juices and other beverages requiring a process authority

New Hampshire labeling requirements

  1. The name and physical address of your home kitchen business
  2. The common name of the product
  3. A full ingredient list in descending order by weight
  4. Allergen declaration for the major allergens (milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, sesame)
  5. Net weight or volume
  6. A cottage food disclosure such as "Made in a home kitchen that is not subject to routine state inspection"

Official source for New Hampshire

New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services administers cottage food rules in New Hampshire.

Last verified:

Visit New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services

Not legal advice. This summary is for general education. Confirm with New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services before you start selling.

Cottage food laws in other states