24 product guides

Selling direct in Iowa, category by category

Rolling-hill farmland, grain bins, and gravel-road markets across Iowa each carry their own rulebook. This series walks through what the state's cottage food law, egg law, meat inspection code, feed law, nursery law, and the relevant federal frameworks (MoCRA, DSHEA, FSIS) actually require for each of the 24 product categories below — with quick-reference tables, FAQs, and a printable checklist for every one.

Mixed / Verify Before Selling

Candles, potpourri, sachets, incense, and diffuser blends sold direct to Iowa shoppers

Cottage Food Eligible

Breads, cookies, cakes, and pastries baked at home for direct sale under Iowa's cottage food law

Licensed Facility Required

Sodas, kombucha, syrups, and juices sold direct to Iowa consumers

Mixed / Verify Before Selling

Lotions, balms, scrubs, and cosmetic-grade soap for direct sale in Iowa

Mixed / Verify Before Selling

Home-canned pickles, salsas, and shelf-stable jars sold direct to Iowa buyers

Cottage Food Eligible

Roasted coffee, loose-leaf tea, and dry blends sold direct to Iowa customers

Licensed Facility Required

Milk, cheese, butter, and cultured dairy products for direct sale in Iowa

Cottage Food Eligible

Dried fruit, dehydrated vegetables, dry mixes, and snack foods sold direct in Iowa

Shell eggs sold direct from the flock to Iowa consumers

Whole, uncut fresh fruit sold direct from Iowa orchards, farms, and gardens

Cottage Food Eligible

Milled flour, whole grains, and grain blends sold direct to Iowa customers

Cottage Food Eligible

Dried culinary herbs, spice blends, and seasoning mixes sold direct in Iowa

Cottage Food Eligible

Raw and bottled honey, comb, and hive products sold direct from Iowa apiaries

Mixed / Verify Before Selling

Laundry soap, detergent, and dryer sachets sold direct to Iowa households

Licensed Facility Required

Beef, pork, lamb, and poultry products sold direct to Iowa consumers

Mixed / Verify Before Selling

Cultivated and foraged mushrooms sold direct to Iowa buyers

Cottage Food Eligible

Raw and roasted nuts, seeds, and nut butters sold direct to Iowa customers

Mixed / Verify Before Selling

Cooking oils, pressed seed oil, and infused oils sold direct to Iowa customers

Licensed Facility Required

Pet Food/Treats

Homemade dog and cat treats and specialty pet food sold direct to Iowa pet owners

Mixed / Verify Before Selling

Plants & Flowers

Nursery stock, bedding plants, and cut flowers sold direct from Iowa growers

Cottage Food Eligible

Jams, jellies, fruit butters, and marmalades sold direct to Iowa customers

Mixed / Verify Before Selling

Herbal capsules, tinctures, and dietary supplement products sold direct to Iowa customers

Whole, uncut fresh vegetables sold direct from Iowa farms and gardens

Cottage Food Eligible

Fruit, herb, and cider vinegars sold direct to Iowa customers