Tennessee

1. Can you sell charcuterie boards from home in Tennessee?

Classic charcuterie (salami/prosciutto/pepperoni + cheese): NO

Under the Tennessee Food Freedom Act (TFFA), home kitchens can sell foods that fit the Act’s exemptions; historically this meant non-TCS shelf-stable foods only. UT Extension’s official 2022 guide makes clear that meat products and TCS foods (including dairy and eggs) were excluded and required a commercial facility. Bedford County+1

Update: Tennessee amended TFFA effective July 1, 2025 to allow certain TCS foods at home. The TN Department of Agriculture confirms the amendment date and that some TCS items are now allowed. Tennessee State Government The legislature/news coverage indicates the expansion includes pasteurized dairy, eggs, and poultry in homemade foods. Tennessee Lookout+1

Still not allowed at home: the expansion did not legalize beef/pork “meat food products,” seafood, alcohol, or unpasteurized dairy. Tennessee Lookout+2StandScout+2

So a typical board with pork/beef cured meats is still outside TFFA.

Translation:

• Standard charcuterie boards with pork/beef cured meats remain illegal from a TN home kitchen.
• The 2025 change helps with some non-meat or poultry/dairy-based items, but it doesn’t open a home pathway for classic charcuterie.

2. What is allowed from home in Tennessee (great early-stage lane)

A) Non-TCS shelf-stable foods (big, easy lane)

TFFA lets you sell essentially any non-potentially hazardous / non-TCS food from home without a state license. Bedford County+2Justia Law+2

Charcuterie-adjacent home-legal products:

• spice blends / dry rubs
• candied nuts, snack mixes, granola
• shelf-stable crackers/breadsticks/crostini
• jams, hot honey, fruit butters
• shelf-stable sweets and baked goods
• These are perfect “board add-ons” while you build your brand. Bedford County+1

B) Certain TCS foods at home (new, limited lane)

As of July 1, 2025, some TCS foods containing pasteurized dairy, eggs, and poultry can be made/sold under TFFA. Tennessee State Government+2Tennessee Lookout+2

Important for your students:

This lane is still limited, and TNDA does not publish individualized approvals for specific products. Tennessee State Government

So if someone wants to do a no-pork/no-beef “snack board” with pasteurized cheese and cooked poultry, they should treat it as a higher-risk gray area and get Extension/legal guidance — because it must fit the amendment’s “certain TCS items” scope, and venues may still say no. Tennessee State Government+1

3. Tennessee home-food requirements (TFFA)

Licenses / inspections

• No state license, permit, or routine inspection required for TFFA foods. Tennessee State Government+1
• TN Department of Health can investigate only if there’s a complaint/illness. Tennessee State Government

Sales cap

• No statewide sales cap. Institute for Justice+1

Where you can sell

For non-TCS foods, TFFA allows broad channels:

• direct to consumers (home pickup, delivery, farmers markets, events)
• online orders + shipping
• retail store sales (restaurants/grocers can resell non-TCS home foods). Institute for Justice+1

For allowed TCS foods after 7/1/2025, the law is more restrictive in practice:

• direct-to-consumer only is the safe assumption
• no wholesale/restaurant resale for perishable items. Forrager+1

Labeling + signage (required)

Tennessee statute requires:

• a visible sign at the point of sale:
• “These food products were made in a private home not licensed or inspected.” Justia Law
• each product label must include your name/address, product name, date packaged, net quantity, ingredients, and the same disclaimer. Justia Law

(If students don’t want their home address public, they’ll need to use a commercial entity’s address or move to a permitted facility.)

4. What you need to sell real charcuterie in Tennessee (meats + full boards)

Once you sell boards containing pork/beef cured meats (or any non-permitted TCS outside the amendment), you’re in the commercial/permitted lane.

You’ll need:

1.   Approved commercial/commissary kitchen

Home kitchens aren’t permitted for classic meat charcuterie production. Bedford County+1

2.   Food establishment / catering permit

o   Retail/pre-packaged boards → TN Dept. of Agriculture food manufacturing/retail pathway

o   Grazing tables / staffed events → local health department food service/catering permit

(Your exact category depends on whether you’re retailing boards, catering, or both.) Tennessee State Government+1

3.   Inspected sourcing + SOPs

o   meats must be USDA/TN-inspected and commercially packaged

o   cheeses/dairy must be pasteurized commercial products

o   strict cold holding (≤41°F), transport logs, sanitizing SOPs

o   keep invoices for inspectors.

4.   Temporary event permits

If you assemble/serve on-site at festivals, wineries, etc., you’ll need a temporary food permit for that county/event.

5. Tennessee startup lanes (pick your path)

Lane A — Home-based brand builder (legal now)

Non-TCS charcuterie add-ons

1.   Make only shelf-stable foods

2.   Label + post required sign

3.   Sell direct, online, and through retail stores

4.   Build audience + product line of pairings/kits

Bedford County+2Justia Law+2

Lane B — Full charcuterie boards & grazing tables

Commercial kitchen + permit

1.   Secure licensed kitchen/commissary

2.   Get the right retail/catering permits

3.   Pass inspection

4.   Operate with cold-chain + sanitation SOPs

Tennessee State Government+1