Open a Micro Bakery:
How to Form a Limited Food Establishment in Pennsylvania
We get tons of questions about running a micro bakery, selling bread, baked goods, and finding ways to make money from home — especially for those of us trying to stay home with little ones because, let’s be honest, daycare costs are crazy!
About two years ago, I got serious about bread baking. Before that, I had been dabbling for years, but last summer I dove deep into learning about gluten development and all the science behind it. And I loved it. Working with dough is so fun! Eventually, though, I was baking way more than my family could eat.
That’s when we decided to officially set up a home micro bakery. We applied for and received our Limited Food Establishment License here in Pennsylvania back in June — it’s now November, so we’ve been doing this for about five months!
At the time, I was very pregnant with our baby Lemon (I was somewhere around 28 weeks along!), so I wasn’t sure how it would all work with a newborn on the way. But I baked right up until 37 weeks, and after that, I had to slow down.
Today, I want to talk to you about how to start a micro bakery from home and what the real process looks like here in Pennsylvania. Plus, I’ll share tips for how you can actually make money doing it — even if you live in a different state where the rules might vary.
What to do to Get Your Micro Bakery Kitchen Licensed in PA
When I first looked into starting a micro bakery a few years ago, it felt so intimidating. I had no idea where to start! But after going through it, I can tell you it’s much more doable than it seems.
Here’s the step-by-step rundown:
Get Township Approval
First, I needed a letter from our township saying I was allowed to operate a Limited Food Establishment from our home. This involved confirming our zoning and getting approval on our septic system.Septic and Water Testing
If you aren’t on city water, you’ll need to have your water tested. We have a spring-fed system, and I was nervous it might disqualify us, but a simple $40 water test from a local lab gave us the all-clear.Contact the PA Department of Agriculture (PDA)
The PDA oversees everything related to food establishments, from tiny home kitchens like mine to breweries and restaurants. When I called, they connected me with my local inspector, who emailed me the application packet.
Pro Micro Bakery Tip:
The application itself isn’t super detailed, so ask lots of questions. I sent my inspector (who was incredibly kind and helpful) dozens of emails to make sure I was doing everything right.
Understand What You Can and Can’t Sell
Everything you sell must be shelf-stable — meaning it doesn’t require refrigeration. That’s why things like breads, cinnamon rolls (without cream cheese frosting), candies, and cookies are allowed.
If you want to sell freeze-dried foods, jams, or anything like that, you’ll need additional (and often expensive) testing. That’s a project for another season of life — definitely not one I tackled with a newborn in the house!Prepare Your Kitchen
You don’t need a completely separate kitchen, but you can’t have pets inside the house, and you’ll need a dedicated area for your baking ingredients.
During the inspection, they’ll check simple things like the temperature of your fridge, freezer, and water — it was honestly very low-stress.
After your first inspection, your micro bakery will be inspected again in 12 months, and then every 18 months after that.
10 Ways to Make Money in Your MicroBakery
Create a Preorder Menu
Offer a rotating weekly or monthly menu where customers can place orders ahead of time, helping you manage inventory and minimize waste.
Host Porch Popups
Set up a small stand or display at your home or another permitted location for limited-time sales—ideal for weekends or holidays.
Build a Text List
Collect customer numbers and send out a weekly menu drop via text; open ordering windows for limited times to create excitement and urgency. You can also pay for certain apps to do this on an automated system.
Sell at Farmers Markets
Reserve a booth at your local farmers market to reach a wide audience who values fresh, artisanal baked goods.
Participate in Vendor Events
Join craft fairs, food festivals, or local pop-up events to showcase your baked goods to new crowds.
Wholesale to Local Businesses
Partner with coffee shops, specialty grocers, or delis to supply them with your pastries, breads, or desserts.
Set Up a Roadside Stand
If permitted in your area, create a self-serve or manned roadside stand offering daily fresh baked goods.
Offer Subscription Boxes
Create a “bread of the week” or “cookie club” subscription where customers receive new items weekly or monthly.
Launch Special Holiday or Gift Boxes
Capitalize on holidays by offering themed boxes (Valentine’s cookies, Christmas bread trays, etc.) perfect for gifts.
Teach Baking Classes or Workshops
Host in-person or online baking classes to diversify your income stream while building your brand authority.
Final MicroBakery Thoughts
Starting a micro bakery from home can seem overwhelming, but once you break it down step-by-step, it’s totally achievable.
The biggest things to remember:
-
Get your approvals (township, septic, water).
-
Understand what you’re allowed to sell (shelf-stable only).
-
Start small — you don’t need an industrial setup to begin.
-
Keep marketing simple and consistent.
If you’re thinking about it, just take the first step. You can always grow later — we’re dreaming of building a commercial kitchen someday, but for now, our humble little kitchen is enough.
See a typical Day in the Life of a MicroBakery on our YouTube channel!If you have more questions about this process or want me to dive deeper into a particular topic, let me know in the comments. I’d love to help!
