In the United States many states have cottage laws which allow for home-based food businesses. In New York the Department of Agriculture & Markets has a home-processor exemption [1]. There's an interesting article, "The Joys and Challenges of a Home-Based Food Business [2]" in the Chronogram about Mor Pipman, owner of Much Mor Bread, a home-based artisan bread business. For those interested in starting up a business, she mentions how much she can bake and earn. While her main products are bread, she supplements her baking income with a few sweets. (Article by Peter Barrett, photo by Roy Gumpel.)