Jefferson County, KY Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)

Cottage food operations in Jefferson County are governed primarily by Kentucky state law. KRS §217.137 (Home-Based Processor, HBP) allows unlicensed sales of non-potentially hazardous foods — baked goods, jams, jellies, dried herbs, candy, honey — directly to consumers at farmers markets, roadside stands, and certified farmers market events. Annual revenue is effectively uncapped for HBP. KRS §217.139 (Home-Based Microprocessor) expands allowable products to include low-acid canned goods, pickles, and salsas but requires registration with the Kentucky Department for Public Health, recipe approval, and pH testing. Products must be labeled with name, address, ingredients, allergens, and 'HOME-BASED PROCESSOR' or 'HOME-BASED MICROPROCESSOR — Not subject to state inspection.' Sales at Louisville venues (Bardstown Road Farmers Market, St. Matthews Farmers Market, Douglass Loop) are permitted. Internet sales and shipping are not allowed under HBP; microprocessors have limited intrastate mail order. Louisville Metro Department of Public Health & Wellness enforces state law locally.