Cottage Food Laws

Cottage Food Laws in Minnesota

Learn the cottage food laws in Minnesota — annual sales limits, license and permit requirements, allowed sales channels, and where you can legally sell homemade food.

At a Glance

🏠
Home Kitchen
Allowed
💰
Annual Sales Limit
$78,000 per year (2024 limit, indexed to inflation)
📋
License / Permit
Not Required
🌐
Online Sales
Allowed
🌡️
TCS / Refrigerated Foods
Not Allowed

Where You Can Sell

Minnesota cottage food vendors are permitted to sell through the following channels:

Direct to Consumer Farmers Markets Roadside Stands Online / Internet Retail Stores
🏪
Wholesale / Retail
Not Allowed
Pop-Up / Craft Fairs
Allowed
🌎
Interstate Sales
In-State Only
🏪
Wholesale — Important Restrictions

Minnesota cottage food law is direct-to-consumer only. Products cannot be sold to businesses — bakeries, grocery stores, restaurants, or any entity that intends to resell. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture issues registration cards that explicitly state: 'This is not a license. Products cannot be resold.' Sales must be made directly from the producer to the end consumer.

Online Sales & Shipping

📦
Carrier Shipping (In-State)
Allowed
🤝
In-Person Transaction Required
No
ℹ️

Online orders allowed. Delivery via mail or commercial delivery services is permitted. A new law passed in 2025 (effective August 1, 2027) further expands flexibility. All sales must remain within Minnesota.

License & Permit Requirements

🔍
Kitchen Inspection
Not Required

Annual Sales Limits

💰
Sales cap: $78,000 per year (2024 limit, indexed to inflation)
Cottage food sales in Minnesota cannot exceed this amount in a calendar year.

Acidified & Fermented Foods

Acidified foods include pickles, hot sauces, salsas, fermented vegetables, and other products with a pH at or below 4.6. These are regulated separately in most states.

🫙
Acidified foods are allowed under Minnesota's cottage food law.
No special acidified food course is required in Minnesota.

Business & Production Rules

🧑‍🍳
Who Can Help in Your Kitchen

Sole proprietor only — no employees or assistants permitted, even household members.

Important Notes

Minnesota has one of the most detailed cottage food laws. Sales limit is inflation-indexed annually. Wholesale and online sales allowed.

Official Sources

Always verify cottage food laws directly with your state agency — laws change, and we want you selling with confidence.

Information last updated: June 15, 2026. Cottage food laws change frequently — always confirm with your state.

Ready to Launch Your Food Business

Three steps from your kitchen to launching your business

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Step 1

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Step 2

List what you make

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Step 3

Start selling

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REady When You Are.

It’s free to get started

We know you'll love it here. If you already have a cottage food business, or ready to start one, come on over to Butter & Sage Market. We're connecting neighbors with their local food makers.