This is general information, not legal advice. Check with the Kansas Department of Agriculture and your local rules before you start. Last reviewed Nov. 8, 2026.

What it is

Kansas has no separate cottage food law. State law exempts a person who produces food for distribution directly to the end consumer from the food establishment license, as long as the food does not require time and temperature control for safety or specialized processing, as determined by the secretary of agriculture. The Kansas Department of Agriculture, or KDA, calls these exempt foods sold direct to consumers.

Sources: K.S.A. 65-689(d)(4); KDA Food Sales at Farmers' Markets page

License or permit

Exempt foods sold directly to consumers need no food establishment license, and KDA guidance shows no state registration or fee for them. Foods that need temperature control or specialized processing need a food establishment license, and sales to other businesses, consignment and wholesale need a KDA food processing license.

Sources: K.S.A. 65-689(d)(4); KDA Food Sales at Farmers' Markets page; K-State Research and Extension MF3138, Resale or wholesale distribution

Sales cap

Neither the statute nor KDA guidance sets a sales cap for exempt foods sold directly to consumers.

Sources: K.S.A. 65-689(d)(4); KDA Food Sales at Farmers' Markets page

What you can sell

KDA lists baked goods such as cookies, breads, cakes, cinnamon rolls and fruit pies, along with fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and honey, as allowed exempt foods. Traditional jams and jellies are the only home-canned products allowed without a license. K-State Research and Extension says exempt foods may be made in a home kitchen if it provides a clean and sanitary environment.

Sources: KDA Food Sales at Farmers' Markets page; K-State Research and Extension MF3138, Direct-to-consumer sales

What you cannot sell

Foods that need temperature control for safety or specialized processing cannot be sold without a food establishment license. KDA's examples include cream or meringue pies, cheesecake, custards, cream-filled cupcakes or donuts, jerky, cut melons, canned vegetables and pickles. Home-canned products other than traditional jams and jellies are not allowed without proper licensing.

Sources: K.S.A. 65-689(d)(4); KDA Food Sales at Farmers' Markets page

How you can sell

Exempt foods may be sold directly to consumers at farmers markets and similar places such as craft fairs, bazaars and fairs. KDA says internet sales, including shipping, are also allowed under the exemption, subject to the receiving state's requirements. The seller may not give up physical control of the product except to the end consumer, so consignment and sales left with another person are not allowed without a food processing license.

Sources: KDA Food Sales at Farmers' Markets page; K-State Research and Extension MF3138, Resale or wholesale distribution

Labels

KDA says packaged products should be labeled with the common name of the product and the name and address of the producer. Kansas has no required home-kitchen statement for exempt foods. The statute itself sets no label rule.

Sources: KDA Food Sales at Farmers' Markets page; K.S.A. 65-689(d)(4)

Read the full Kansas cottage food law guide and FAQs

Kansas cottage food makers

Counties with listings

Northwest Kansas (5 listings)

Decatur County

Phillips County

Rooks County

Thomas County

Southwest Kansas (15 listings)

Finney County

Ford County

Gray County

Hamilton County

Haskell County

Kearny County

Kiowa County

Morton County

Seward County

Wichita County

North Central Kansas (22 listings)

Cloud County

Dickinson County

Ellsworth County

Geary County

Jewell County

Mitchell County

Ottawa County

Republic County

Riley County

Saline County

South Central Kansas (63 listings)

Barton County

Butler County

Cowley County

Harvey County

Kingman County

Marion County

Pratt County

Reno County

Rice County

Sedgwick County

Sumner County

Northeast Kansas (48 listings)

Atchison County

Brown County

Douglas County

Franklin County

Jackson County

Jefferson County

Marshall County

Nemaha County

Osage County

Pottawatomie County

Shawnee County

Wabaunsee County

Kansas City Area (50 listings)

Johnson County

Leavenworth County

Miami County

Wyandotte County

Southeast Kansas (30 listings)

Allen County

Anderson County

Bourbon County

Chautauqua County

Cherokee County

Crawford County

Greenwood County

Labette County

Linn County

Lyon County

Montgomery County

Neosho County

Woodson County

Kansas cottage food rules in plain English

What it is

License or permit

Sales cap

What you can sell

What you cannot sell

How you can sell