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Cottage food laws

Minnesota Cottage Food Law

Can you sell homemade food from your home kitchen in Minnesota? Here are the sales cap, allowed foods, where you can sell, and the point where you must move into a licensed commercial kitchen.
Educational summary, not legal advice — cottage food rules change; confirm with the state before you sell.
Program
Cottage Food Producer Registration
Annual sales cap
$78,000
Where you can sell
Direct/in-personFarmers marketsHome pickupOnlineMail/commercial delivery
Registration / to start
Two tiers: ≤$7,665 = no fee; $7,666–$78,000 = $50 fee. Food-safety training required (annual for Tier 1; every 3 yrs for Tier 2)
Allowed foods
Non-TCS shelf-stable baked goods, candies, dry mixes, jams/jellies, pickles meeting acidification rules; pet treats (dogs/cats)
Not allowed
TCS/refrigerated foods, meat, low-acid canned goods
When you need a commercial / commissary kitchen
Exceeding $78,000, selling TCS foods, or wholesale requires a licensed kitchen
Administered by
Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) · Minn. Stat. § 28A.152

Source: Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). Cottage food laws change often — confirm current rules before selling.

Good to know

Cap ~$78,000 (inflation-adjusted); tiered registration. HF 2446 (major revisions) takes effect Aug 1, 2027; registration fee reduced to $30 for some operators.

Outgrowing cottage food? When you need a licensed kitchen, see Minnesota food-business requirements, estimate the build with the cost-to-open calculator, and check whether you need a hood.

Frequently asked

Can I sell homemade food in Minnesota?
Yes. Minnesota has a cottage food framework (Cottage Food Producer Registration) that lets individuals make and sell certain non-hazardous foods from a home kitchen. Annual sales are capped at $78,000. You still must follow the state's rules on allowed foods, labeling, and where you can sell. Administered by Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA).
What foods can I sell under Minnesota's cottage food law?
Non-TCS shelf-stable baked goods, candies, dry mixes, jams/jellies, pickles meeting acidification rules; pet treats (dogs/cats) Not allowed: TCS/refrigerated foods, meat, low-acid canned goods
When do I need a commercial or commissary kitchen in Minnesota?
Exceeding $78,000, selling TCS foods, or wholesale requires a licensed kitchen At that point, see the requirements and permit fees for your area.
Do I need a license or registration for cottage food in Minnesota?
Two tiers: ≤$7,665 = no fee; $7,666–$78,000 = $50 fee. Food-safety training required (annual for Tier 1; every 3 yrs for Tier 2)
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