Franklin, TN Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)

Tennessee's Food Freedom Act, codified at T.C.A. § 53-1-118 and most recently amended by HB 130 effective July 1, 2025, exempts homemade-food producers from state licensing, permitting, inspection, packaging, and labeling oversight by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. There is no annual sales cap, no income limit, and no production volume limit — a sharp contrast to Kentucky's $60,000 cap or Florida's $250,000 cap. Allowed foods include baked goods (breads, cookies, cakes, pies including cream pies, cheesecakes, cream-filled pastries), candy, fudge, chocolates, jams, jellies, preserves, marmalades, fruit butters, applesauce, chutneys, acidified foods, low-acid canned foods (pickles, fermented vegetables, sauces), dried fruits, granola, roasted nuts, nut butters, honey, maple syrup, and — after HB 130 — pasteurized dairy (butter, yogurt, hard cheese, kefir) and shell eggs. Prohibited categories remain meat products, seafood, alcoholic beverages, and unpasteurized milk. Sales venues include farmers markets, home sales, online retail, roadside stands, and events; perishable items must be sold direct-to-consumer in-person. Each container must bear: business name, business address, business phone, product name, ingredients (including major allergens), and the statement 'This product was produced at a private residence that is exempt from state licensing and inspection. This product may contain allergens.' Franklin's local zoning still applies: Franklin Zoning Ordinance § 5.2.7.G permits 'baker' and 'caterer' as home occupations, so a home baker must comply with the home occupation standards (no signs, no on-site retail walk-in, no exterior change, max 25% of dwelling floor area).