Home baker and cook guide
How to sell homemade food in Illinois
Illinois cottage food operations register with the local health department and sell qualifying foods directly to consumers. Start with the official program below, then confirm the rules for your product, preparation setting, and local jurisdiction.
Official resources last reviewed 2026-07-21. Rules can change.
Official Illinois resources
Open the official pages below for registration, labeling, allowed foods, and temperature rules. This app collects your application only. After approval, classify every meal when you publish.
What the official pathway currently emphasizes
- Production occurs in the primary residence kitchen or an appropriately designed farm kitchen.
- Products generally must be packaged and labeled with ingredients and allergens; prohibited ingredients and foods remain outside the exemption.
- Canned tomatoes, acidified foods, and fermented foods have additional safety requirements.
- Cottage foods cannot be sold for resale or through retail food establishments.
A practical preparation sequence
- Review the current Cottage Food Guide for every product and process.
- Complete applicable food-safety training and prepare labels.
- Register with the health department serving the residence.
- Confirm direct-sale venue and any special-process requirements before selling.
Questions to answer before listing
- Which foods may be produced in your proposed kitchen?
- Does the product require refrigeration or temperature control?
- Are registration, training, inspection, testing, or permits required?
- What must appear on the product label and customer disclosure?
- Where may you advertise, sell, deliver, ship, or arrange pickup?
- Do county, city, zoning, tax, or tribal rules add requirements?
Prepare your local kitchen page
Once you understand the applicable pathway, create a kitchen profile, describe your general pickup area, upload real food photos, and post specific preorder windows. Kitchen Counter-Measures does not approve a product on behalf of a regulator.