New Hampshire Cottage Food Law

Sell Homemade Food in New Hampshire — A Friendly 2026 Guide

Everything you need to start your home food business in New Hampshire — what you can sell, what permits you need, where to register, and how to ship.

New here? RestauNax helps people just like you turn home baking into a real online business — for $4.99/month.

$20,000 (unlicensed) / unlimited with Homestead license

Revenue Limit

Annual limit under cottage food law

Allowed

Online Sales

Sell through your own website

No

Permit Required

Start selling right away

moderately regulated

Regulation Level

New Hampshire is considered moderately regulated for home food

You've Got This — Here's How to Start

Selling food from home in New Hampshire is easier than it sounds. Just follow these steps in order.
1
Read your state's rules (5 min)

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Food Protection Section explains everything you need to know about the New Hampshire Homestead Food Operation Law (RSA 143-A:12; He-P 2300).

Read the law
2
Print your labels

Every package needs a label with your name, ingredients, and a few other details. We list exactly what New Hampshire requires below.

3
Open your online store with RestauNax

Take orders, accept payments, manage shipping, and message customers — all from one dashboard for $4.99/month.

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Here's What You Get for $4.99/month

Your own online store with photos and menu

Online ordering, pickup, and local delivery

Nationwide shipping for dry goods (FedEx, USPS, UPS)

Labels, receipts, and customer messaging — all in one place

See full pricing and features

What You Can Sell in New Hampshire

baked goods

candy

jams

jellies

honey

maple syrup

popcorn

Prohibited Products

meat

dairy

canned low-acid foods

Rules can change — quickly check with New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Food Protection Section before you start, just to be safe.

New Hampshire Requirements Checklist

Here's what you need to start selling homemade food in New Hampshire under the New Hampshire Homestead Food Operation Law (RSA 143-A:12; He-P 2300)
No Permit Needed

New Hampshire does not require a permit for cottage food operations.

Apply
No Food Handler Cert Needed

New Hampshire does not require a food handler certification.

No Kitchen Inspection Needed

New Hampshire allows you to use your home kitchen without inspection.

What Goes on Your Label

Every package you sell needs a label. Here's exactly what New Hampshire wants on it — copy this list.

Product name

Ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight

Major food allergens declared

Net weight or volume

Producer name and address

Statement that the product is made in a home kitchen not inspected by the state

Ingredient list — listed in order from most to least

New Hampshire requires you to list every ingredient on each package. Start with the heaviest ingredient and work your way down. Sub-ingredients (like "chocolate chips: cocoa, sugar, milkfat") go in parentheses.

Allergen disclosure — required

Clearly list any of the 9 major allergens your product contains: milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, and sesame. A simple line works: "Contains: wheat, eggs, milk."

What You Can Ship From New Hampshire

Cookies, jams, dry mixes — these ship great from New Hampshire. Here's what works.
Shelf-stable products that ship well

baked goods

candy

jams

honey

maple syrup

popcorn

Ship within New Hampshire only

New Hampshire homestead food operators can sell direct, at farmers markets, and online within the state. Sales and delivery must occur within New Hampshire.

What can't ship

Anything that needs refrigeration — cheesecakes, custard pies, cream-filled pastries, fresh dairy, meat — can't be shipped under cottage food rules. Stick to dry, shelf-stable items for shipping. Local pickup and delivery still work great for everything else.

Ship Your Products Nationwide

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FedEx
USPS
UPS

Flat Rate Shipping

Weight-Based Pricing

Free Shipping Thresholds

Where You Can Sell in New Hampshire

Direct Sales (from home)

Allowed in New Hampshire

Online Sales (website)

Allowed in New Hampshire

Farmers Markets

Allowed in New Hampshire

Wholesale to Stores

Not permitted under New Hampshire cottage food law

Home Food Business Types in New Hampshire

Start any of these home food businesses under the New Hampshire Homestead Food Operation Law (RSA 143-A:12; He-P 2300)

Start Your New Hampshire Home Food Business — $4.99/month

Professional website, online ordering, payments, shipping, customer directory, and analytics — everything you need to comply with the New Hampshire Homestead Food Operation Law (RSA 143-A:12; He-P 2300) and grow your business.
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About RestauNax for Home Food Businesses

RestauNax offers a $4.99/month platform for home food businesses, cottage food operators, home bakers, food influencers, and small food makers. The platform includes a professional website, online ordering, nationwide shipping (FedEx/USPS/UPS), Stripe payment processing, customer directory, multi-language support, and analytics — all with zero commission fees. RestauNax replaces expensive platforms like Castiron, Shopify, and Square Online for home food sellers at a fraction of the cost.

Ready to Start Selling Homemade Food in New Hampshire?

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