Cottage food law
Minnesota cottage food laws, in plain English.
What you can make in your home kitchen in Minnesota, where you can sell it, how much you can earn and whether you need a permit. No legalese, just the facts.
Updated for 2026 · Always confirm with your state
Single registration tier with a $30 fee, in-state shipping of cottage food, advanced training for all producers, and inflation adjustments to the sales limit every two years.
The rules below are the ones in effect today. Read the change
At a Glance
Where You Can Sell
Minnesota cottage food vendors are permitted to sell through the following channels:
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
Orders may be taken online, but food must be handed over in person or delivered personally. Human food cannot be shipped until August 1, 2027 (pet treats can).
License & Permit Requirements
Permit type: Cottage Food Producer Registration (Tier 1 free up to $7,665/yr; Tier 2 $50)
Annual Sales Limits
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.
Business & Production Rules
Sole proprietor only — no employees or assistants permitted, even household members.
Important Notes
Minnesota requires Cottage Food Producer registration with the MDA and food safety training. Direct-to-consumer only — no wholesale or retail. The required statement must also appear on the website and a point-of-sale sign.
Official Sources
Always verify cottage food laws directly with your state agency — laws change, and we want you selling with confidence.
Information last updated: October 11, 2026. Cottage food laws change frequently — always confirm with your state.
Ready to sell in Minnesota?
Rules checked. Now open your shop.
A free Butter & Sage shop takes the orders, the payments and the pickup times, so you can stay in the kitchen. Neighbors in Minnesota find you on our map and order ahead.
- A free shop with your own look
- Pre-orders with pickup or delivery times
- Your shop on the local map and the farmers market directory
- Labels with your state’s required statement filled in
More free tools
Free tools for small food businesses.
No sign-up, no catch. Use them as often as you like.
- Bread CalculatorBaker's percentages to batch size, hydration and levain.
- Cake CalculatorGuest count to cake size, or cake size to servings, with a cutting map.
- Market Prep PlannerHow much to bring to market, with a safety buffer.
- Recipe Pricing CalculatorIngredients, labor and margin to a price that pays you.
- Recipe ScalerAny recipe up or down, with smart rounding.
- Cottage Food Label MakerA compliant label for your cottage food products.
- Brand Generator & Social StudioBooth signs, labels and posts that all match.Bloom
Checking another state? All 50 are here.
Every state’s cottage food law, side by side.
