Rules for selling food
Cottage-food makers and food businesses each follow their state’s rules, and FDA labeling rules generally apply to packaged food. What you can sell, and where, depends on where you make it.
For food & beverage
Sell sauces, snacks and specialty foods online with labels, shelf life and delivery rules up front.
Put ingredients and allergens on every page, sell older batches first, and only ship perishables where they will arrive fresh.
Shelves of glass jars filled with spice blends, each with a handwritten-style label
The hard part
What makes selling food & beverage online hard
Shelf life and batches
Stock has a best-by date. Without batch tracking, old stock sits at the back while new stock ships first.
Perishables and distance
Baked goods and fresh items cannot sit in transit for a week. Shipping them across the country invites spoilage and refunds.
Low order values
A $6 jar leaves little room for shipping. You need minimum order values, bundles and repeat buyers to make it work.
Your storefront theme
Mandi
Mandi is our general-store theme: quick to browse, clear prices and pack sizes, and easy repeat ordering for everyday items.
Preset: mandi-market. Change colors, fonts and sections with the drag-and-drop builder.
What you get
Built for how food & beverage sellers work
Label details on every listing
Add ingredients, allergens, net weight and shelf life as product details shown on the page, matching your package label.
How it worksBatch and expiration tracking
An optional inventory feature: record batches with best-by dates so older stock ships first.
How it worksZIP code delivery rules
Limit perishables to ZIP codes you can reach in time, offer local pickup or delivery, and set faster shipping for them.
How it worksBundles and gift boxes
Bundle sauces, snacks or coffee into sampler packs and holiday gift boxes with their own price and stock.
How it worksSubscriptions and reorders
Offer monthly boxes of everyday items and remind buyers when it is time to reorder.
How it worksSales tax at checkout
Food can be taxed differently from other goods, and rules vary by state. Sales tax is calculated at checkout from the buyer’s address, and you file the returns.
How it worksYour first 30 days
A four-week plan to get selling
- 1
Week 1: Get your details in order
Check what your state requires for the food you make, set up Mandi, and add products with ingredients, allergens, net weight and shelf life.
- 2
Week 2: Set delivery zones
Decide which products can ship anywhere and which need fast, nearby delivery or local pickup. Set ZIP code rules to match.
- 3
Week 3: Raise the order value
Create bundles and a free-shipping threshold so each order carries its shipping cost.
- 4
Week 4: Build the habit
Turn on reorder reminders for staples and email your subscribers ahead of the holidays and Black Friday.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can't find what you're looking for? Our team replies within one working day.
Do I need a license to sell food online?
It depends on what you make, where you make it and where you sell. Many states have cottage-food rules for home kitchens, and FDA rules generally apply to packaged food. Check with your state or local health department for what applies to you.
Can I stop perishables from shipping to far-off areas?
Yes. Use shipping rules by ZIP code so baked goods or fresh items are only offered where you can deliver them in time.
Can I sell older batches first?
Yes. Track stock by batch with a best-by date, and pick from the oldest batch that is still fit to sell.
How is sales tax handled on food?
AjVik calculates sales tax at checkout from the buyer’s address and reports what you collected. Food is often taxed differently from other goods, so confirm how your products are treated with your accountant. You file and pay the tax.
Your first order is closer than you think
Start selling food & beverage this week.
Seven days to try everything. Pick a plan when you are ready.
- 7-day trial on every plan
- No card needed to start
- $0 setup, cancel any time
- Payments settle to your own bank