I just thought I would take time and post the website for the Department of Agriculture in Ohio: www.ohioagriculture.gov
Just type in cottage foods in the search bar and it tells you the requirements you need to bake and sell foods from home.

You can sell cakes, cookies, etc. out of your home as long as they don't need refrigerated and you label them properly. I believe they also stated that this type of home business is exempt from yearly inspections, but a sample may be taken of your product for inspection.

If you sell things that do need refrigerated the law changes a bit but not much. You don't need a separate kitchen. You just have to make sure you have no pets and that you don't have carpet in your kitchen.

This is just a few things they mention on their website. I just thought this might help someone in Ohio just in case you needed a place to start.

Thanks for the info!

So we don't have to get licensed as long as refrigeration is not required? Can we advertise?

I have been afraid of advertising because I am not licensed.

Thanks!

Fishercakes:
I'm not quite sure about all of the legalities because I haven't done a home kitchen...I have a small bakery. It does have a list of who you can sell to. I believe it said you can sell right from your home to farmers markets, restaurants, stores, etc as long as you put "this product is home produced". I would assume because it would be legal to sell to customers from your home that advertising would be okay, but I 'm not sure about this.

Even for products that do need refrigerated the laws are not very strict at all. I believe they do an inspection, no carpet in kitchen and no pets.

I'm not an expert on this subject by any means, but I just thought it would be helpful for anyone who didn't know where to start.

Yes, you are allowed to advertise: you are a business, right? If it is legal for you to sell cottage foods from your home, as long as you have a vendors license, I don't see the problem.

I will say, though, that it is nothing to get licensed. It costs 10 dollars and they just come in to make sure you don't have pets or carpet in your kitchen and that it is generally a clean facility. The inspector opened my oven and fridge, looked around and said, "Ok, let's sign the papers."

It took a while for the guy to be able to get to me, but I feel assured with my license now.

Thanks for the link.

I am sending them an email with a few other questions that I had.

Hi Ellepal: Did they make you have a separate refrigerator or pantry for your baking supplies?

Fishercakes: No problem...happy to help.

No, not at all. He said nothing of the sort. But I do have everything separate anyway. In fact, I have a separate apartment that is used only for cakes , office and storage.

Do not forget you must label all products in Ohio for consumption. I did check with the Dept of Agric and Sec of State on this. IT IS A REQUIREMENT.