How Bake Local Works
Bake Local connects customers with talented home bakers in their community — making it easy to discover, order, and enjoy homemade treats while supporting local businesses.
For Customers
1. Discover Local Bakers
Customers can browse home bakers nearby and find homemade treats like cookies, brownies, cakes, breads, cupcakes, and more.
Bake Local helps customers support real home bakers in their community.
2. Browse Menus and Place Orders
Customers can view bakery profiles, menu items, photos, pricing, and availability before placing an order directly through the app.
3. Enjoy Homemade Goods Nearby
Once an order is placed, customers coordinate with the baker based on the baker’s available pickup or delivery options.
Bake Local makes it easier to shop local, support small businesses, and enjoy homemade desserts without having to search through social media.
For Bakers
1. Create Your Bakery Profile
Sign up as a baker and build your profile with your bakery name, photos, menu items, pricing, availability, delivery options, and service area.
Your profile helps customers learn who you are, what you offer, and how they can order from you.
2. Upload Your Compliance Documents
Bake Local helps guide you based on your state’s cottage food requirements during setup.
Depending on your state, you may be asked to upload documents such as permits, food safety certificates, labels, or other required information before your bakery can be approved.
If your profile is rejected due to missing documents, don’t worry — we’ll let you know exactly what is needed so you can gather the documents, resubmit, and send your profile back for review.
3. Get Approved
Once your profile and compliance documents are reviewed and approved, your bakery can be listed on Bake Local for customers to discover.
Bake Local is designed to support cottage food law compliance, which means products listed on the app must follow your state’s requirements.
4. Enjoy Free Access Until January
We’ve made exciting changes for bakers.
All approved bakers now get access to our full baker plan for free until January.
That means there are no separate plan tiers right now — every baker gets the same access to the features included in our full plan.
5. Keep 100% of Your Sales
Bake Local does not take commissions from your sales.
You keep 100% of your sales, with only standard transaction fees applying.
6. Manage Orders and Grow Your Bakery
Once customers place orders, you can manage requests, communicate with customers, and continue updating your menu and availability as your business grows.
Bakers can also access Baker University to learn tips, improve their listings, and get guidance on growing their home bakery business.
Approved bakers may also withdraw available balances daily.
Baker Compliance & Responsibilities
Bake Local is a marketplace platform that connects customers with independent home bakers. Each baker is responsible for operating their business in compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws.
What Bakers Are Responsible For
• Licensing & Permits
Bakers must ensure they hold any licenses, permits, or registrations required to sell their products in their state or locality, including compliance with cottage food laws or commercial food licensing where applicable.
• Food Safety & Labeling
Bakers are responsible for proper food handling, preparation, storage, packaging, and labeling in accordance with applicable food safety regulations.
• Menu Compliance
Certain products (such as refrigerated or perishable items) may require additional licensing. Bakers are responsible for ensuring their menu offerings are legally permitted for sale.
• Order Fulfillment
Bakers independently manage order acceptance, preparation timelines, delivery or pickup coordination, and customer communication.
Bake Local’s Role
Bake Local does not prepare, package, or sell food. We do not handle payments for baked goods, control pricing, or manage fulfillment. Bake Local serves solely as a technology platform to help bakers market their products and connect with customers.
Bakers operate as independent businesses, not employees or agents of Bake Local.
Compliance Support
While Bake Local does not provide legal advice, we aim to offer educational resources and general guidance to help bakers understand common requirements related to home-based food businesses. Bakers are encouraged to consult local health departments or legal professionals to confirm compliance.
Acceptance of Responsibility
By joining Bake Local, bakers acknowledge and agree that they are solely responsible for:
• Compliance with all applicable laws and regulations
• The safety and quality of their products
• Customer interactions and order fulfillment