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Introduction
At-home food production
Cottage Food Operations
On-Site Food Production
Wholesale Kitchen
Use Permit
Resources
Introduction
Agricultural processing is when you take a raw agricultural product and transform it into another product, such as taking milk and making cheese. Oftentimes, the resulting product is considered a value-added product because processing enhances its economic value. Processing does not include the regular cleaning, grading, packing, polishing, sizing, and similar preparations of crops or livestock that are incidental to regular agricultural production.
Based off the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), regular farming activities include:
Drying/dehydrating (whole fruit only)
Sliced and pitted products require a Cottage Food Operations permit or a Processed Food Registration
Harvesting
Labeling
Packaging
Treating to manipulate ripening
One option to get started with your value-added operation is to get a permit for at-home processing. This includes Cottage Food Operations and Micro-Enterprise Kitchen Operations (MEHKO) permits. These permits offer a lower barrier to entry and, in general, do not require major construction.
If you would like to scale-up your operations, you can apply for a Small-Scale Agricultural Processing Facility permit or a Use permit, depending on the size of your operation.
Check out our page on starting an agri-business for more information on the regulatory requirements. Do not do any major construction or make any major purchases before checking with your planning/building department.
At-Home Food Production
There are 2 ways to make food for public sale in a non-commercial kitchen: cottage food operations and micro-enterprise home kitchen operations (MEHKOs). Cottage food operations can sell certain shelf stable products, and MEHKOs can sell fresh meals for dine-in or delivery.
Operation type | Products | Zoning |
Cottage food | Non-perishable, packaged food | All properties with a residential building |
Micro-Enterprise Home Kitchen (MEHKO) | Warm meals | Resources and Rural Development (RRD), Agriculture and Residential (AR) |
Cottage Food Operations
Cottage food operations are allowed to produce items from the California Department of Public Health approved list:
Baked goods without cream, custard, or meat fillings
Candy and confections
Extracts containing at least 70 proof food-grade for human consumption ethanol/alcohol
Dried, dehydrated, and freeze-dried foods
Frostings, icings, fondants, and gum pastes that do not contain eggs, cream, or cream cheese
Honey and sorghum syrups
Fruit butters, preserves, jams, and jellies
Nuts, nut mixes, and nut butters
Powdered beverage bases/mixes
Vinegars and mustards
Cottage Food Operation Permit Classes
Class A: if you only plan to sell your food in-person directly to consumers from your home or at community events
Class B: if you plan to sell your food in-person directly to customers from your home or at community events, and you plan to sell your food indirectly from a third party location (such as a restaurant or store)
Additional permitting information
If you plan on selling food at community events (such as farmers markets or fairs) you will need a Temporary Food Facility permit
Micro-Enterprise Home Kitchen (MEHKO)
Zoning: RRD, AR
MEHKOs allow individuals to run small restaurants operations from their private homes without a commercial kitchen
The MEHKO permit application requires a retail food facility permit application, standard operating procedures, and a rental agreement if applicable
On-Site Food Production
Commercial food production permits do not automatically allow for you to serve food on your property. See our page on special events for more information!
Small-Scale Agricultural Processing Permit
Zoning: permits are allowed in Land Intensive Agriculture, Land Extensive Agriculture, Diverse Agriculture, and Rural & Resource Development zones
Minimum parcel size: 2 acres
Maximum building size
2 acres to less than 5 acres: 3,000 square feet
5 acres or greater: 5,000 square feet
Production: At least 70% of the agricultural commodities used in the processing must be grown on-site or on lands owned or leased by the farm operator.
This permit does not allow the processing of alcoholic beverages, animal slaughter, meat processing, or cannabis (hemp is allowed). You will need to apply for a use permit for these activities.
Waste Management Plan
Groundwater
Wholesale Kitchen
EH knows more
Wholesale Kitchen - CA dept of public health
CDPH requirements are not as scary as people think
Red bird bakery - have the cafe location, then location where they make the bread for wholesale
Building out a kitchen
Use Permit
A Use Permit is required for operations that exceed the limitations set by the Small-Scale Agricultural Processing Permit. This includes Commercial Kitchens and other forms of agricultural processing outlined in the FSMA.
Resources
Food Safety Modernization Act / Produce Safety Rule
FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule, UC Small Farm Food Safety
Processing and Distribution, UC Food Safety
California Department of Food and Agriculture Produce Safety Program
Produce Safety Rule Grower Training
Produce Safety Program, from California Department of Public Health
Value Added Agriculture, from the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center
Farm Insurance Basics, from Farm Commons
Micro-Enterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKO)
Last updated summer 2026