All Maine guides
Home Food License

Baked Goods

Breads, cookies, pies and pastries. Selling direct to consumers in Maine.

Home licenseShelf-stable only
Cream fillingsCommercial license
Market salesMobile Vendor license
Prepared food tax8%

What is covered

Covered by this path

  • Shelf-stable breads and cookies
  • Pies without cream or custard
  • Sales at home or farmers' market with licenses

Needs a different path

  • Cream, custard or meat fillings
  • Items needing refrigeration
  • Shipping out of state without full labeling

Three compliance steps

A

Pick the license

DACF says shelf-stable foods need a Home Food Processing license; non-shelf-stable foods need a Commercial Food Processing license.

B

Add a mobile vendor license

Selling prepared or packaged food off-premises, such as a market or craft fair, needs a DACF Mobile Vendor license.

C

Label and tax

Package with a full label and collect sales tax on prepared food.

Quick reference

ItemRuleRegulator
Shelf-stable productsHome Food Processing license, product list authorizedDACF QA&R
Non-shelf-stable productsCommercial Food Processing license ($50 per DACF poultry guidance fee schedule)DACF QA&R
Market salesMobile Vending license ($20 per same fee schedule)DACF QA&R
Prepared foodHigher sales tax rate appliesMaine Revenue Services

Frequently asked

Can I bake cheesecake at home?

No. It is not shelf-stable, so it needs a commercial license.

Does my market need anything?

Markets can have their own rules; ask the manager.

Printable checklist

License type confirmed
Product list authorized
Mobile vendor license
Labels printed
Sales tax account
Allergen sign ready