FAQ's
What is a cottage bakery?
A cottage bakery is a small food business that operates under Michigan’s Cottage Food Law. This law allows certain non-potentially hazardous baked goods to be made in a home kitchen and sold directly to consumers, without requiring a licensed commercial kitchen. Cottage bakeries are limited in what they can produce, but they offer a high level of care, craftsmanship, and transparency.
Why don’t you offer items that require refrigeration or temperature control?
Michigan Cottage Food Law prohibits the sale of foods that require refrigeration for safety, such as cream-filled pastries, cheesecakes, custards, and certain frostings.
While we would love to make everything, food safety always comes first. Our menu is intentionally designed around shelf-stable items that are safe, delicious, and compliant with state regulations.
If your kitchen isn’t inspected, how do you ensure cleanliness and safety?
While cottage kitchens are exempt from routine state inspection, that does not mean standards are lower.
At NOMS:
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All recipes are researched for safety and compliance
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Surfaces, tools, and equipment are cleaned and sanitized thoroughly
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Ingredients are sourced carefully and stored properly
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Food safety training (including ServSafe certification) guides all practices
We hold ourselves to professional standards because your trust matters.
Why do you require a signed contract for special orders?
Custom orders require additional planning, ingredient purchasing, and reserved production time. A signed contract:
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Confirms order details clearly
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Protects both you and the bakery
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Helps prevent last-minute cancellations or misunderstandings
This allows us to deliver the quality and consistency our customers expect.
Why don’t you offer custom cakes with fresh cream or elaborate decorations?
Certain fillings, frostings, and decorative techniques are not permitted under cottage law due to food safety requirements. We focus instead on cooked frostings, jams, and approved buttercreams that still allow for beautiful, flavorful, and nostalgic desserts.
Can you accommodate allergies or dietary restrictions?
We do our best to clearly label ingredients and allergens. However, because all products are made in the same kitchen, we cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment. Please contact us before ordering if you have questions about specific ingredients.
Do you plan to become a licensed commercial kitchen in the future?
Possibly! As NOMS grows, expanding into a licensed kitchen or café space is a long-term goal. Until then, we proudly operate within cottage law, focusing on what we do best: thoughtfully made, nostalgic baked goods.
Why might your pricing be higher than grocery store bakeries?
Our products are:
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Made in small batches
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Prepared by hand
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Free from commercial additives and preservatives
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Crafted using higher-quality ingredients and professional training
You’re paying for experience, care, and flavor — not mass production.