Critical
Limited Products Only
Missouri cottage food law ONLY covers baked goods, canned jams/jellies, and dried herbs. Other foods require commercial licensing.
How to Start a Bakery in Missouri
From cottage food to commercial bakery. Missouri requirements and costs.
Startup cost range — full setup
Bakery · MO
$250
–
$70,000
$1K
$10K
$100K
$1M
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Profit margin
- 35-55%
Overview
Missouri's cottage food law allows home bakers to sell directly to consumers without a license or inspection. Since 2022, there's NO sales limit and online sales with in-state shipping are allowed. Combined with LLC filing at just $50 and no annual reports, Missouri is very accessible for bakery startups.
Heads-up
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Important Notices
Notice · INFO
No Sales Limit
Since 2022, Missouri has NO cap on cottage food sales. Previous $50,000 limit was removed.
Notice · WARNING
Direct to Consumer Only
Cannot sell wholesale to restaurants or grocery stores. Direct sales only: farmers markets, roadside, online, home delivery.
Cost breakdown
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Startup Costs
| Item | Low | High | Magnitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Kitchen Equipment Mixer, pans, basic supplies | $125 | $1,300 | |
| Initial Ingredients First batch supplies | $65 | $350 | |
| Packaging & Labels Required labeling materials | $60 | $350 | |
| LLC Formation (Optional) Missouri filing fee | $50 | $105 | |
| Commercial Kitchen (Optional) Only if scaling beyond cottage food | $0 | $35,000 | |
| Insurance (Optional) Recommended but not required | $0 | $350 | |
| Marketing Social media, farmers market booth | $65 | $350 | |
| Point of Sale Placard Required display at sales | $5 | $25 | |
| Startup range | $250 | $70,000 |
The line items above are the main cost drivers, not an exhaustive sum. Several are alternatives rather than additions — a mobile setup or a storefront, a rented kitchen or a build-out — so they are not added together. The startup range is the figure used across this page.
Related guide
Complete Bakery startup guide
National costs, equipment lists, pricing strategy, step-by-step instructions.
Read
What's required
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Licenses & Food Safety Requirements
-
Proper Labeling
$50-100Name, address, ingredients, net weight, disclaimer required
-
Point of Sale Placard
$5-25Required visible display stating home kitchen not inspected
-
LLC Registration (Optional)
$50-105Recommended for liability protection
Markets
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Major Markets in Missouri
| # | City | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Kansas City City Market, BBQ culture, sports fans want desserts | City Market, BBQ culture, sports fans want desserts |
| 02 | St. Louis Soulard Market, gooey butter cake tradition, diverse neighborhoods | Soulard Market, gooey butter cake tradition, diverse neighborhoods |
| 03 | Springfield Growing market, less competition, local food movement | Growing market, less competition, local food movement |
| 04 | Columbia Mizzou college town, farmers market, young demographic | Mizzou college town, farmers market, young demographic |
Cross-state
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Bakery Costs in Other States
Operator notes
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Missouri Bakery Tips
Tip · 01
2022 Law Expansion
HB 1697 removed sales cap and allowed online sales with in-state shipping. Major improvement!
Tip · 02
Required Disclaimer
Labels must include: 'This product is prepared in a kitchen that is not subject to inspection by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.'
Tip · 03
Placard Required
At point of sale (farmers market booth, etc.), you must display a clearly visible placard with the same disclaimer.
Tip · 04
Farmers Market Focus
Kansas City City Market, Soulard Market (St. Louis), and local farmers markets are great starting points.
Tip · 05
Online Sales Allowed
Since 2022, you can sell online with in-state shipping. Build e-commerce presence.
Tip · 06
Midwest Comfort Foods
Gooey butter cake, toasted ravioli (St. Louis), BBQ-friendly desserts have built-in demand.
Process
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Steps to Start
-
Understand Cottage Food Law
Missouri allows selling baked goods, canned jams/jellies, and dried herbs from home. No license or inspection required.
-
Choose Your Products
LIMITED to: baked goods (cookies, cakes, breads, pies), canned jams/jellies, dried herbs. No other foods allowed under cottage law.
-
Set Up Your Kitchen
Your home kitchen is legal! No commercial kitchen or inspection required for cottage food products.
-
Create Proper Labels
Required: product name, your name/address, ingredients list, net weight, and disclaimer about home production.
-
Create Placard
Must display at point of sale stating food is prepared in kitchen not subject to state inspection.
-
Register Your Business (Optional)
LLC provides liability protection ($50). Not required for cottage food sales.
-
Price Your Products
Factor in ingredients, time, packaging. Missouri customers appreciate artisan quality.
-
Market and Sell
Since 2022: sell online with in-state shipping, at farmers markets, roadside stands, home delivery/pickup.
Common questions
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Missouri Bakery FAQ
Q.01 Do I need a license to sell baked goods in Missouri?
No license required for cottage food! Missouri allows selling baked goods, jams/jellies, and dried herbs from home without license or inspection. Profit margins typically run 35-55% for bakery businesses in Missouri.
Q.02 Is there a sales limit?
No! Since 2022 (HB 1697), Missouri has NO sales limit for cottage food. Previously capped at $50,000. Profit margins typically run 35-55% for bakery businesses in Missouri.
Q.03 What foods can I sell?
LIMITED to: baked goods (cookies, cakes, breads, pies, donuts, pastries), canned jams and jellies, dried herbs and herb mixes. No other foods. Profit margins typically run 35-55% for bakery businesses in Missouri.
Q.04 Can I sell online?
Yes! Since 2022, you can sell online with in-state delivery/shipping. Cannot ship out of Missouri. Missouri bakery businesses generate $5,000-$140,000 in annual revenue.
Q.05 What's required on labels?
Product name, your name and address, complete ingredient list, net weight, and the required disclaimer about home production not being inspected. Profit margins typically run 35-55% for bakery businesses in Missouri.
Q.06 Do I need a placard?
Yes! At point of sale, you must display a clearly visible placard stating food is prepared in a kitchen not subject to inspection. Profit margins typically run 35-55% for bakery businesses in Missouri.
Related
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