In partnership with NH Stories, Inc. and

as well as the NH Farm to Restaurant Connection.

Homestead License: for updated information, please call NHDHHS (DPHS Food Protection), (603) 271-4589.

In 2006, the NH Legislature passed the Homestead Food License (RSA 143-A:12) which defined a "homestead'' as a "a residential, non-commercial kitchen where home-made foods are manufactured or processed, or both, primarily for retail sales at farmers' markets, farm stands, or residences."

The homestead food license legislation established a 2-level homestead license and stated, it shall be unlawful for a processor or a manufacturer to operate a homestead kitchen without a homestead license. These changes were recently incorporated into He-P 2300, Sanitary Production And Distribution of Food, specifically parts He-P 2328 and He-P 2330. (www.gencourt.state.nh.us/Rules/he-p2300.html)

For a one-time fee of $25, the level one homestead license allows the following products:

Baked items, including but not limited to, breads, rolls, muffins, cookies, brownies and cakes;

Double-crusted fruit pies;

Candy and fudge;

Packaged dry products, which include but are not limited to spices and herbs;

Acid foods, including but not limited to vinegars and mustards; and

Jams and jellies. Note:

Level one homesteads that use jam, jelly and preserve recipes approved by the National Center for Home Food Preservation do not require a scheduled process review. Level one homesteads that use recipes other than those on National Center for Home Food Preservation web site shall comply with the scheduled process review requirements.

A level one homestead shall not produce or sell potentially hazardous food, including any food which requires refrigeration. Level one homestead licensees must update their license on an annual basis which shall include the licensee's annual sales figures for the previous year.

If annual sales are greater than $5000, the licensee shall apply for a level 2 homestead license (a class D establishment) and shall submit an annual application for food service license and pay an annual fee of $125. Level 2 homesteads shall take and pass a food protection employee certification program and be re-certified at least every 5 years.

For more information on the Homestead licenses, contact NHDHHS (DPHS Food Protection), (603) 271-4589.

Top of Page

This document initially developed by Jack Potter, 603-528-1990, info@shakerwoodsfarm.com.
Shaker Woods Farm at Point Comfort, 23 March 2003

: