Georgia — the rules
Selling Food From Home in Georgia: Cottage Food Rules (2026)
Yes — you can legally sell food made in your home kitchen in Georgia, under the Georgia Cottage Food Program (formerly Cottage Food License; HB 398, OCGA 26-2-470 et seq.). There is no state sales cap on the books. Here is exactly what that means.
Georgia at a glance
| Home food sales | Allowed |
| Program | Georgia Cottage Food Program (formerly Cottage Food License; HB 398, OCGA 26-2-470 et seq.) |
| Annual sales cap | None specified |
| Sales channels | Direct to consumers AND through retail/indirect channels |
What foods are covered
Non-potentially-hazardous foods only: breads, cakes, pastries, cookies, candies, fruit pies, jams, dried fruits, nuts, cereals, herbs/seasonings, vinegar, popcorn products. No annual sales cap. HB 398 (effective July 1, 2025) eliminated the state cottage food license and expanded sales channels: direct to consumers at events, online sales, and - newly - sales through retail stores are permitted.
Permits and registration
No state license, fee, or routine inspection since July 1, 2025 (previously a $100/yr GDA license). Operators must complete an ANSI-accredited food safety training program (Food Handler level acceptable, e.g. ServSafe). Labeling rules under GDA Rule 40-7-19 apply; the department notes implementing rules are under revision.
Going legal in Georgia: the plate-seller checklist
- Read the primary source (linked below) — caps and food lists are specific and they change.
- Label honestly — most programs require your name, address or registration, and a made-in-a-home-kitchen disclosure on packaging.
- Get your free EIN at irs.gov and open a separate account for food money.
- Take payment at order time — prepaid orders with a weekly cutoff are how home sellers stay profitable AND within caps.
- Build the storefront — a menu page, order-ahead with cutoffs, your own business line. Our free guide covers the whole playbook.
Sources and verification
Verified 2026-07 against: www.agr.georgia.gov · rules.sos.ga.gov. Rules change — confirm with the primary source before acting; this guide is information, not legal advice.
Questions people ask
Is it legal to sell food from home in Georgia?
Yes — under Georgia Cottage Food Program (formerly Cottage Food License; HB 398, OCGA 26-2-470 et seq.). Allowed foods and channels are specific; check the primary source.
How much can you sell under Georgia's cottage food law?
Georgia does not specify a state sales cap in the current rules.
Do you need a permit to sell food from home in Georgia?
No state license, fee, or routine inspection since July 1, 2025 (previously a $100/yr GDA license). Operators must complete an ANSI-accredited food safety training program (Food Handler level acceptable, e.g. ServSafe). Labeling rules under GDA Rule 40-7-19 apply; the department