Farmers market tortilla stand

Households, home cooks and market shoppers who want fresh tortillas, plus the odd local café or caterer.

Price per pack or dozen at the stall, with extra from weekly pre-order subscriptions and specialty flavors or masa.

• Cooking and dough handling
• Friendly customer service
• Basic organizing and batch planning

• Cottage food rules vary by state, and some limit sales channels or annual income, so check yours
• Market vendors often need a health department permit and proof of liability insurance
• Home kitchen use may need approval, and HOA or lease rules may apply
• Sales tax registration with your state if tortillas are taxable where you live
• Early starts and weekend work, with weather affecting outdoor sales

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $500 to $4,000, depending on your equipment, packaging, market stall fees, permits and insurance. Starting small with pre-orders and one market can help keep spending toward the lower end.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $400 to $2,500, depending on how many markets you attend, your prices, batch sizes and pre-orders. Weather can affect outdoor sales, and weekend and early-morning work is usually part of the routine.

Cottage food rules vary by state, and some limit sales channels or annual income, so check yours. Market vendors often need a health department permit and proof of liability insurance. Also check HOA or lease rules and state sales tax registration.