Oak Lawn vs Schaumburg

Can I sell homemade baked goods from my Oak Lawn home?

Yes. The Illinois Cottage Food Act allows sale of shelf-stable baked goods and other approved products up to $75,000/year in gross sales, with direct sales to consumers and proper labeling.

Do I need to register to sell cottage foods?

Yes. Registration with the Cook County Department of Public Health is required before selling cottage food products.

Can I sell my cottage foods at a farmers market?

Yes. Farmers markets are a common direct-to-consumer channel for cottage food operations and work well given Oak Lawn's restrictions on on-premises sales.

Can I sell homemade food from my home in Schaumburg?

Yes. Illinois's Cottage Food and Home Kitchen Operations Act allows residents to sell approved shelf-stable foods directly to consumers with annual gross sales up to $75,000 without a commercial kitchen. Required labeling must be on all products.

What foods can I sell under the cottage food law?

Non-potentially-hazardous items including baked goods without cream fillings, jams, jellies, candy, dried herbs, roasted coffee, popcorn, and granola. Potentially hazardous foods like those requiring refrigeration need a home kitchen operation license with additional requirements.

Do I need a health department inspection?

No. Cottage food operations are exempt from health department kitchen inspections. However, you must follow labeling requirements and sell only approved product types. Home kitchen operations allowing hazardous foods require a food service sanitation manager certificate.