How to Label Food for a Farm Stand
A roadside stand runs on trust, often with no one watching the till. That puts the whole job on the label, because the jar has to answer every question a buyer might ask. Here is what to print on it.
Do you need a Nutrition Facts panel at a farm stand?
Panel usually not requiredA roadside farm stand selling direct to customers is a core cottage food channel. Most states exempt these sales from the full Nutrition Facts panel, while still requiring the ingredient list, allergen line, net weight, business information, and your state's home-kitchen disclaimer on each package.
Nutripane builds the Nutrition Facts panel and the ingredient, allergen, and disclaimer label from your recipe, so you are ready whether this channel needs the panel or not.
What your label needs to sell at a farm stand
- ✓Product name. The common name of the food, so a buyer knows what it is.
- ✓Net quantity. The weight or count in the package, usually shown on the front.
- ✓Ingredient list. Every ingredient, listed heaviest-first by weight.
- ✓Allergen statement. A Contains line for any of the nine major allergens in your recipe.
- ✓Business name and address. Who made the food and where they can be reached.
- ✓Home-kitchen disclaimer. The cottage food sentence your state requires, for direct sales.
What is different when you sell at a farm stand
- ✓ A label on each jar or package, even at an unattended stand
- ✓ Net weight and your business name and address
- ✓ Your state's home-kitchen disclaimer
One thing sellers miss selling at a farm stand
An unattended stand cannot answer questions, so the label has to. Put the full ingredient list, allergen line, and your contact information on every package.
Popular foods to sell at a farm stand
Questions
Can I sell food at a roadside farm stand?
In many states, yes, as direct cottage food sales. You usually will not need a Nutrition Facts panel, but each package needs the product name, net weight, ingredient list, allergen statement, your business name and address, and the home-kitchen disclaimer. Confirm your state's rules for farm stands.
What does a farm stand jam or honey label need?
The product name, net weight, ingredient list, any allergen line, your business name and address, and your state's disclaimer. Pure honey can list a single ingredient, Honey. Nutripane builds the label from what you enter.
Read next
Selling somewhere else?
This page is general information, not legal advice. Food labeling, cottage food rules, and marketplace policies vary by state and change over time. Confirm current requirements with your state's cottage food program and the place you plan to sell. See your state's rules or another channel.