Charlotte, NC Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)

North Carolina's cottage food framework, administered by the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) Food and Drug Protection Division, governs residential food production in Charlotte and statewide.

Allowed products (low-risk, non-potentially-hazardous): - Baked goods (bread, cookies, cakes, pies with non-perishable fillings) - Jams, jellies, and fruit preserves using approved recipes (high-acid pH below 4.6) - Hard candies, chocolates, fudge - Dry mixes, granola, trail mixes - Dehydrated fruits and vegetables - Popcorn and popcorn products - Honey and sorghum syrup (separate beekeeping registration)

Prohibited products (potentially hazardous, require commercial kitchen): - Meat, poultry, fish - Dairy products including cream cheese frostings - Cheesecake and custard-filled items - Low-acid canned goods (non-acidic salsas, pickled vegetables not properly acidified) - Commercial bakery items for resale to retailers

Requirements to sell: 1. Apply for a Home Processor Inspection through NCDA&CS (no application fee). 2. Inspector visits the home kitchen, verifies sanitation, equipment, water source, and pest control. 3. Receive an inspection report; approved producers may begin selling. 4. Recipes for acidified or canned products must be reviewed by a Process Authority (NC State University or Clemson University). 5. Labels must include product name, net weight, ingredients in descending order, allergen disclosure, business name/address, and the statement 'Made in a home kitchen that is not inspected by the Department of Agriculture' (for certain products).

Sales channels: - Direct to consumer at farmers markets, roadside stands, home pickup, local delivery - Online sales to in-state customers allowed - Interstate sales and wholesale to retailers NOT allowed without commercial facility

Charlotte zoning: Cottage food is treated as a home occupation and must comply with UDO §15.11 (see home occupation topic). Signs, customer traffic, and on-site sales are subject to home occupation limits.

Tax: Sales tax applies to prepared foods. Register with NCDOR for sales tax and file periodic returns.