Virginia: Unattended honesty stand?

Not addressed. The exemption does not mention self-serve or honor-system stands.

Virginia: Sign up with the state?

No. No permit or fee for exempt foods. Other foods need a VDACS permit.

Virginia: Food safety class?

Not addressed. The exemption does not set a food safety class or card.

Virginia: Kitchen inspection?

Sometimes. No routine checks. VDACS can inspect after a complaint.

Virginia: Yearly sales limit

Acidified vegetables: $9,000. No cap on low-risk foods. Acidified vegetables cap at $9,000.

Virginia: Foods that need a fridge?

No. Only shelf-stable foods that can sit out after you make them.

Virginia: Take orders online?

Yes. By phone or online, to people in Virginia only.

Virginia: Ship or mail orders?

Yes. By mail or delivery service, within Virginia only.

Virginia: Sell through shops?

No. No stores, restaurants or resale. No sales across state lines.

Cottage food law

Virginia cottage food law

Virginia exempts low-risk home-made foods from permits and inspections under a statewide home food processing exemption. There is no sales cap on those foods; pickles and acidified vegetables are capped at $9,000 a year.

Checked against the law October 20, 2026

The rules at a glance

Home food processing exemption

Unattended honesty stand?
Not addressed
The exemption does not mention self-serve or honor-system stands.
Sign up with the state?
No
No permit or fee for exempt foods. Other foods need a VDACS permit.
Source
- exempt home food processing operations are exempt from the Food Safety Program’s inspection, permit, and annual inspection fee requirementsVDACS: Virginia's Home Food Processing Exemptions FAQ (PDF)
- You need to apply for a permit from the Food Safety ProgramVDACS: Virginia's Home Food Processing Exemptions FAQ (PDF)
Food safety class?
Not addressed
The exemption does not set a food safety class or card.
Kitchen inspection?
Sometimes
No routine checks. VDACS can inspect after a complaint.
Source
- exempt home food processing operations are exempt from the Food Safety Program’s inspection, permit, and annual inspection fee requirementsVDACS: Virginia's Home Food Processing Exemptions FAQ (PDF)
- Nothing in this section shall prevent the Department from inspecting any nonprofit organization, private home, or retail establishment if a consumer complaint is receivedCode of Virginia § 3.2-5130
Yearly sales limit
Acidified vegetables: $9,000
No cap on low-risk foods. Acidified vegetables cap at $9,000.
Source
- not exceeding $9,000 in gross sales in a calendar yearCode of Virginia § 3.2-5130
- Exempt producers must not exceed $9,000 in total annual gross sales for all acidiﬁed vegetable products producedVDACS: Virginia's Home Food Processing Exemptions FAQ (PDF)
Foods that need a fridge?
No
Only shelf-stable foods that can sit out after you make them.
Source
- these food products cannot require time or temperature control for safety after preparationVDACS: Virginia's Home Food Processing Exemptions FAQ (PDF)
Take orders online?
Yes
By phone or online, to people in Virginia only.
Source
- A producer can sell their exempt food products directly to an individual for his own consumption by phone, through the internet, or at any locationVDACS: Virginia's Home Food Processing Exemptions FAQ (PDF)
- Exempt food products can only be sold and delivered within the Commonwealth to individuals for their own consumptionVDACS: Virginia's Home Food Processing Exemptions FAQ (PDF)
Ship or mail orders?
Yes
By mail or delivery service, within Virginia only.
Source
- A producer can deliver their exempt food products directly to an individual for his own consumption in person, by mail, or by delivery serviceVDACS: Virginia's Home Food Processing Exemptions FAQ (PDF)
- Exempt food products can only be sold and delivered within the Commonwealth to individuals for their own consumptionVDACS: Virginia's Home Food Processing Exemptions FAQ (PDF)
Sell through shops?
No
No stores, restaurants or resale. No sales across state lines.
Source
- Exempt food products cannot be sold for resale, for consignment, for use or consumption in retail food establishments, to other businesses, or across state linesVDACS: Virginia's Home Food Processing Exemptions FAQ (PDF)

What goes on the label

Required wording

NOT FOR RESALE - PROCESSED AND PREPARED WITHOUT STATE INSPECTION

On the front label, or a sign if the package is too small.

Source

the statement “NOT FOR RESALE — PROCESSED AND PREPARED WITHOUT STATE INSPECTION”VDACS: Virginia's Home Food Processing Exemptions FAQ (PDF)

The label also shows

Your name, address and phone number
The date you made the food
The name of the food
Net weight
Ingredients and subingredients

Source

A label displaying the name, physical address or post office box number, and telephone number of the person preparing the food productVDACS: Virginia's Home Food Processing Exemptions FAQ (PDF)
The date the food product was processedVDACS: Virginia's Home Food Processing Exemptions FAQ (PDF)
standard labeling requirements (product name, net weight statement, name and address of the manufacturer, list of ingredients and subingredients, and possibly nutritional information)VDACS: Virginia's Home Food Processing Exemptions FAQ (PDF)

Before your first sale

This is general information, not legal advice. Check with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) before you sell, and again if you add a new food or a new way of selling.

We check these sources every month and update this page when they change.

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