What You Need to Cook on Eat HomePlates
We only accept home cooks who hold valid state permits. Here's a complete guide to the two permit types we recognize, plus the certifications required to get them.
Cottage Food Operation (CFO)
The Cottage Food Operation framework is designed for home bakers and food creators making non-potentially hazardous foods. This means foods that do not require temperature control or refrigeration to remain safe, such as baked goods without cream fillings, jams, dried herbs, candies, and granola.
It is divided into two distinct classes with different requirements and privileges.
Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO)
The MEHKO permit functions essentially like running a mini-restaurant out of your house. Unlike Cottage Food, MEHKOs allow you to prepare hot, restaurant-style meals containing meat, dairy, and perishable items.
This permit has stricter rules around meal limits, revenue caps, and operational constraints.
Cottage Food Operation (CFO) Permits
Designed for non-potentially hazardous foods that don't need refrigeration — think baked goods, jams, granola, and dry mixes.
Class A Registration
- Sell food directly to consumers from your home, at farmers' markets, festivals, or via direct delivery.
- Requires registration with your local environmental health department.
- No physical home inspection is required unless a complaint is filed.
Class B Permit
- Sell directly to consumers and indirectly through third parties, such as local coffee shops, markets, or restaurants.
- Requires a full permit from your county health department.
- Requires an annual physical inspection of your home kitchen.
Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO) Permits
Run a mini-restaurant from your home kitchen — hot meals, meat, dairy, and full restaurant-style dishes.
County Opt-In Required
You can only get this permit if your specific county's Board of Supervisors has legally opted into the state program, such as San Diego County or Los Angeles County.
Meal Limits
You are legally capped at serving a maximum of 30 meals per day or 90 meals per week.
Revenue Cap
Your home business can make a maximum gross annual income of $100,000.
No Alcohol or Catering
You cannot serve or cook with alcohol without a separate ABC license, and you cannot operate a standard off-site catering business.
Same-Day Service
Food must be prepared, cooked, and served or delivered on the very same day.
Delivery Rules
You must sell directly to the consumer. Using third-party apps like DoorDash or UberEats is generally prohibited.
Home Inspection
You must pass an annual physical environmental health inspection of your home kitchen.
Mandatory Certifications
Before your local environmental health department will issue either a CFO or MEHKO permit, you must complete these food safety credentials.
Food Manager Certification
The primary kitchen operator or owner
The primary kitchen operator or owner must pass an accredited Food Protection Manager Certification exam. This certification ensures you understand food safety principles, proper handling, temperature control, sanitation, and allergen management at a professional level.
Note: This is a more advanced certification than the Food Handler Card. It typically requires passing a proctored exam from an ANSI-accredited program like ServSafe, National Registry of Food Safety Professionals, or Prometric.
Food Handler Cards
For all auxiliary employees and household members
Any auxiliary employee or household member assisting with the preparation or storage of food must obtain a standard California Food Handler Card. This card certifies basic food safety knowledge, including personal hygiene, cross-contamination prevention, and time-and-temperature control.
Note: The Food Handler Card is obtained through a short online course and test, typically costing under $15 and taking about 2 hours to complete. It must be renewed every 3 years.