Tennessee — the rules
Selling Food From Home in Tennessee: Cottage Food Rules (2026)
Yes — you can legally sell food made in your home kitchen in Tennessee, under the Tennessee Food Freedom Act. There is no state sales cap on the books. Here is exactly what that means.
Tennessee at a glance
| Home food sales | Allowed |
| Program | Tennessee Food Freedom Act |
| Annual sales cap | None specified |
| Sales channels | Direct to consumers (see details — many direct-only states still allow online orders with delivery) |
What foods are covered
Expanded food freedom: originally non-TCS homemade foods (2022); amended effective July 1, 2025 to also allow many time/temperature-controlled (TCS) homemade foods; excludes meat and meat products, fish/shellfish, unpasteurized milk/dairy, and alcoholic beverages. Direct-to-consumer only, within Tennessee (online orders and in-state delivery allowed)
Permits and registration
None - homemade foods under the act are exempt from all licensing, permitting, inspection, packaging, and labeling laws (specific home-kitchen disclosure statement still required on label/webpage)
Going legal in Tennessee: 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.tn.gov · forrager.com · bedford.tennessee.edu. 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 Tennessee?
Yes — under Tennessee Food Freedom Act. Allowed foods and channels are specific; check the primary source.
How much can you sell under Tennessee's cottage food law?
Tennessee does not specify a state sales cap in the current rules.
Do you need a permit to sell food from home in Tennessee?
None - homemade foods under the act are exempt from all licensing, permitting, inspection, packaging, and labeling laws (specific home-kitchen disclosure statement still required on label/webpage)