How we keep Kitse safe, legal, and trustworthy for everyone.
Every chef on Kitse operates from their own home kitchen in your area. No dark kitchens, no ghost brands.
We support cottage food items (baked goods, jams, preserves) and MEHKO-permitted meals (full entrees, soups, sides). Each seller's permit determines what they can offer.
Chefs are expected to use fresh ingredients, maintain clean kitchens, and prepare food with the same care they'd serve to their own family.
All food must be properly packaged and labeled. Hot items stay hot, cold items stay cold. Allergens must be clearly disclosed.
Home kitchen food sales are legal in most US states under cottage food laws and MEHKO (Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation) permits. Here's what that means.
Cottage food and MEHKO laws allow individuals to prepare and sell food from their residential kitchens without a commercial facility. These programs have been adopted across the country to support small food entrepreneurs.
Every seller on Kitse must hold a valid permit appropriate for the food they sell. Cottage food permits cover shelf-stable items like baked goods and jams. MEHKO permits (available in California and expanding to other states) allow full prepared meals. We guide every chef through the application process.
Sellers are independently responsible for food safety, labeling, allergen disclosure, and compliance with their local laws. Kitse provides guidance and tools, but each chef operates as their own business.
All sellers must hold a valid food handler certificate. We recommend and link to accredited online courses during onboarding.
Sellers must follow proper food storage temperatures, prevent cross-contamination, and maintain clean preparation surfaces. MEHKO sellers undergo county kitchen inspections.
Every product must list ingredients and allergens. State-required disclaimers (e.g., "Made in a home kitchen") must be included on packaging.
Food price + $6 delivery + tax. No service fees, no hidden charges, no surge pricing.
$6 flat local delivery within 5 miles. Free on orders over $50. Outside the zone, pickup is always available.
What you see at checkout is what you pay. We don't add fees at the last step.
Kitse takes 25% of food sales. Sellers keep 75% of food revenue plus 100% of delivery fees. This is clearly shown in the seller dashboard.
Have a question about your order? Need to report an issue? Contact us at support@kitse.co or use the contact form on our website. We respond within 24 hours.
Need help with permits, your dashboard, or a specific order? Reach us at sellers@kitse.co. We also offer onboarding support to help you get set up.