Cottage & Homemade Food
Homemade food laws, labeling rules, and direct sales resources for Arkansas producers and anyone selling across state lines.
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Arkansas Food Freedom Act: What You Can Make and Sell at Home
Arkansas Department of Health · ACA § 20-57-501 et seq. (Act 1040 of 2021):
Arkansas replaced its old cottage food law with the Food Freedom Act in 2021, making it one of the most permissive homemade food laws in the country. No permit, no sales cap, no inspection required. Producers may sell non-TCS shelf-stable foods directly to consumers in person, online, through retail stores, and via delivery anywhere in Arkansas. Meat, poultry, seafood, and dairy are excluded.
Arkansas Labeling Requirements for Homemade Food
Arkansas Department of Health · Food Freedom Act Labeling Rules:
Every homemade food product sold in Arkansas must carry the production date, producer name and address or state-issued ID number, product name, ingredient list in descending order by weight, and the required statement: "This product was produced in a private residence that is exempt from state licensing and inspection. This product may contain allergens." Products sold online must display this information on the webpage in addition to the physical label.
https://www.uaex.uada.edu/business-communities/local-foods/AR-food-freedom-act.aspx
Arkansas Cottage Food Laws: Current Rules Updated Each Session
Cottage CMS · Arkansas State Law Page (Updated 2025):
A complete summary of Arkansas's current homemade food framework under the Food Freedom Act, including allowed and prohibited products, labeling requirements, sales venues, online sales rules, and key changes from recent legislative sessions, updated with every new legislature so the information reflects current law.
Cottage Food Laws in Every State: Compare Before You Sell Across Lines
Cottage CMS · National State Law Database (Updated Each Legislative Session):
Before selling homemade food into Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, or Mississippi, producers must know that state's specific rules. Cottage CMS tracks current cottage food and food freedom laws in all 50 states, updated with every new legislative session, covering sales caps, allowed products, venue restrictions, labeling requirements, and permit status.
National Farmers Market Directory: Find Markets in Any State
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service · Local Food Directories:
The USDA AMS Local Food Directories include a searchable national database of farmers markets, on-farm markets, CSA programs, and food hubs. Producers looking to sell cottage or homemade food at out-of-state markets can use this tool to identify registered markets in neighboring states before verifying that state's vendor and product rules.
https://www.ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/farmersmarkets
Homemade Food State Rankings: How Every State Scores on Food Freedom
Institute for Justice · National Food Freedom Initiative:
The Institute for Justice tracks and grades homemade food laws across all 50 states using 17 criteria including product allowances, venue access, sales caps, permit requirements, and local preemption rules. Their state-by-state pages for Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Mississippi give producers a side-by-side legal starting point before expanding sales.
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