State Compliance Checklist: Meal Operations
Know your lane before you launch.
Overview
This checklist helps members identify the appropriate compliance tier for their jurisdiction. States fall into three categories:
| Category | Description | States |
|---|---|---|
| Cottage-Food Friendly | Expanded home-based food sales allowed | TX, CA, WY, UT, ND, and others |
| MEHKO States | Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations permitted | CA, UT (and expanding) |
| Strict States | Commercial kitchen required for most paid meal prep | NY, NJ, and others |
Tier Classification by State
Tier A: Cottage-Food Friendly States
These states have expanded cottage food laws allowing significant home-based food sales.
| State | Sales Cap | Allowed Foods | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $50,000/year | Non-TCS foods, some baked goods | Labeling, food handler training |
| Wyoming | $250,000/year | Broad (including some TCS) | Labeling, registration |
| Utah | $50,000/year | Non-TCS foods | Labeling, registration |
| North Dakota | Unlimited | Non-TCS foods | Labeling only |
| Florida | $250,000/year | Non-TCS foods | Labeling, registration |
| Arizona | Unlimited | Non-TCS foods | Labeling only |
TCS = Time/Temperature Control for Safety (perishable foods)
Tier B: MEHKO States
These states allow home restaurants with inspections.
| State | Program | Sales Cap | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | MEHKO (AB 626) | $75,000/year | Permit, inspection, food handler cert |
| Utah | Home Consumption Venue | $50,000/year | Permit, inspection |
Tier C: Strict States
These states require commercial kitchen for most paid meal preparation.
| State | Cottage Food Limits | Path Forward |
|---|---|---|
| New York | Very limited (non-TCS only, low cap) | Community kitchen partnership |
| New Jersey | Minimal | Community kitchen partnership |
| Massachusetts | Limited | Community kitchen partnership |
| Illinois | Limited ($50K, non-TCS) | Community kitchen or MEHKO advocacy |
State-by-State Checklist
Texas
Classification: Cottage-Food Friendly
Allowed Activities:
- ✅ Sell non-TCS foods from home (up to $50K/year)
- ✅ Sell at farmers markets, online, direct to consumers
- ✅ Deliver within state
Requirements:
- Complete food handler training
- Label products with name, address, “Made in a home kitchen” statement
- Track sales to stay under $50K cap
- No TCS foods (no meals requiring refrigeration)
Meal Node Path: For full meal prep (TCS foods), use certified community kitchen or obtain food service permit.
California
Classification: MEHKO State
Allowed Activities:
- ✅ Operate home restaurant (MEHKO permit)
- ✅ Sell prepared meals including TCS foods
- ✅ Sell cottage foods (non-TCS, up to $75K)
MEHKO Requirements:
- Obtain MEHKO permit from county health department
- Pass home kitchen inspection
- Complete food handler certification
- Display permit and post consumer advisory
- Limit to 30 meals/day or 60 meals/week
- Track sales to stay under $75K cap
Cottage Food Requirements:
- Register with county
- Label products appropriately
- Non-TCS foods only
Wyoming
Classification: Cottage-Food Friendly (Most Permissive)
Allowed Activities:
- ✅ Sell most foods from home (up to $250K/year)
- ✅ Include some TCS foods with proper handling
- ✅ Sell online, at markets, direct to consumers
Requirements:
- Register with state
- Label with name, address, “Made in a home kitchen” statement
- Follow safe food handling practices
- Track sales to stay under $250K cap
New York
Classification: Strict
Allowed Activities:
- ✅ Sell limited non-TCS foods (baked goods, jams, etc.)
- ❌ No home-prepared meals for sale
Requirements:
- Register with Department of Agriculture
- Non-TCS foods only
- Labeling requirements
Meal Node Path: Must use certified community kitchen. Platform provides:
- Community kitchen network access
- Scheduling and booking tools
- Insurance coverage
Florida
Classification: Cottage-Food Friendly
Allowed Activities:
- ✅ Sell non-TCS foods from home (up to $250K/year)
- ✅ Sell at farmers markets, online, direct to consumers
Requirements:
- No license required under $250K
- Label with name, address, “Made in a cottage food operation” statement
- Non-TCS foods only
Arizona
Classification: Cottage-Food Friendly (No Cap)
Allowed Activities:
- ✅ Sell non-TCS foods from home (no sales cap)
- ✅ Sell online, at markets, direct to consumers
Requirements:
- No license required
- Label appropriately
- Non-TCS foods only
Canada Provinces
Alberta
Classification: Exploring Gig Chef Framework
Current Status:
- Cottage food rules in development
- “Gig chef” frameworks being actively explored
- Community kitchen model currently safest path
Requirements:
- Monitor regulatory developments
- Use certified community kitchens for paid meal prep
- Follow Alberta Health Services guidelines
Ontario
Classification: Strict with Potluck Exemptions
Potluck Exemption:
- Religious organizations can hold occasional special events
- Food from uninspected homes allowed with:
- Health unit notification
- Donor list maintained
- Posted notice about uninspected kitchens
Commercial Operations:
- Food premises license required
- Health department inspection
- Food handler certification
Compliance Checklist by Activity Type
Starting a Potluck Pod (Non-Commercial)
Applicable in all jurisdictions:
- Form group of 4-8 households
- Establish rotation schedule
- Post disclosure notices (“food from home kitchens”)
- Maintain participant list
- Review basic food safety guidelines
- No money changes hands
Starting Cottage Food Sales
For cottage-food-friendly states:
- Verify state allows cottage food sales
- Check sales cap for your state
- Identify allowed food categories (usually non-TCS)
- Register with state/county if required
- Create compliant labels
- Set up sales tracking
- Complete food handler training if required
Starting MEHKO Operations
For California and Utah:
- Apply for MEHKO permit
- Schedule home kitchen inspection
- Complete food handler certification
- Prepare kitchen to inspection standards
- Create consumer advisory signage
- Set up meal tracking (30/day or 60/week limit)
- Register with platform as Meal Node
Starting Community Kitchen Operations
For all jurisdictions:
- Identify certified community kitchen in your area
- Verify facility meets health department requirements
- Obtain food handler certification
- Secure liability insurance (platform-provided)
- Book kitchen time through platform
- Register as Meal Node
- Begin operations
Platform Compliance Tools
Jurisdiction Lookup
Enter your location → Get your compliance tier and requirements
Training Materials
- Food handler certification prep
- Safe food handling practices
- Labeling requirements by state
- Record-keeping templates
Documentation
- Label templates by state
- Sales tracking spreadsheets
- Inspection preparation checklists
- Insurance certificates
Community Kitchen Network
- Searchable database of certified facilities
- Real-time availability
- Online booking
- Equipment inventory
Key Definitions
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| TCS Foods | Time/Temperature Control for Safety — foods requiring refrigeration (meats, dairy, cut produce, cooked grains) |
| Non-TCS Foods | Shelf-stable foods (baked goods, jams, dried goods, candies) |
| Cottage Food | Food prepared in a home kitchen under state cottage food laws |
| MEHKO | Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation — California program allowing home restaurants |
| Food Handler Certification | Training and certification in safe food handling practices |
Regulatory Trends
Expanding Access (2024-2026)
- More states adopting cottage food laws
- MEHKO programs spreading beyond California
- “Gig chef” frameworks in development (Alberta, others)
- Platform economy driving regulatory modernization
What This Means for Members
- Check your state’s current laws (they may have changed)
- Advocate for cottage food expansion in strict states
- Use community kitchens while regulations evolve
- Platform tracks regulatory changes and updates guidance
Related Documents
- Potluck Pod vs Meal Node — Legal distinction guide
- The Meal Ecosystem — Full system overview
- Let’s Make Dinner — The marketplace initiative
Compliance Checklist — February 23, 2026 This document provides general guidance only. Consult local counsel and health departments for specific requirements in your jurisdiction.