Cottage Food Operations
Starting a food business doesn't always mean opening a restaurant or renting a commercial kitchen.
For eligible food products, a California Cottage Food Operation may provide an opportunity to start a food business from a private home.
Your Cottage Food Business Journey
YOUR IDEA
We'll help you evaluate whether a Cottage Food Operation makes sense for your concept and goals.
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Evaluate Your Products
We'll help you identify the questions to ask about whether your proposed products fit within the applicable Cottage Food framework.
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Determine Your Business Model
Understand the agencies, applications, registrations, and local requirements you may need to address.
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Understand Requirements
Understand the food-safety training and certification considerations associated with operating your food business.
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Set Up Your Business
Build the business foundation, including business structure, financial planning, pricing, startup costs, and basic operations.
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Develop Your Brand & Packaging
Learn what information may need to appear on your product labels and how packaging fits into your business model.
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Price Your Products
Compete with the current market value of your products in correlation with making a profit.
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Start Selling
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Grow Your Business
Cottage Food Businesses We Help
Bakers
Cookies, breads, pastries and other potentially eligible products.
Dessert Entrepreneurs
Certain shelf-stable desserts and specialty products.
Seasoning & Spice Businesses
Entrepreneurs developing packaged seasoning blends.
Packaged Food Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs developing eligible shelf-stable food products.
Home-Based Food Entrepreneurs
People who want to test and develop a food concept before making a larger investment.
*Product eligibility depends on the specific food, preparation process, ingredients, and applicable regulations*