Selling dried sourdough starter in Minnesota
What Minnesota official sources actually say about selling dried sourdough starter under cottage food law — not named — general non-tcs path — confirm. Last verified 2026-10-15.
If you keep a jar going in Minnesota, selling dried sourdough starter is a different cottage-food question than selling bread. The product is flour and water that you fermented, then dried. Official pages almost never use the words “dried starter.” This post only repeats what the current statute, agency page, or extension guide actually says — and where that source is silent.
Dried starter is not automatically a baked good
A loaf is baked. Dried starter is a dry culture. Some states publish a closed allowed-foods list (baked goods, jams, dried herbs). Some allow non-TCS / non-potentially-hazardous foods as a class. A few name baking mixes, dry mixtures, or — in Kansas — dehydrated sourdough starter. We do not stretch a baked-goods line into a dry-culture line unless a source supports that read.
The quick facts
- Law
- Minnesota Statutes §28A.152 - Cottage Foods Exemption
- Statute
- Minn. Stat. §28A.152
- Agency
- Minnesota Department of Agriculture
- Dried-starter read
- Not named — general non-TCS path — confirm
- Annual sales cap
- $78,000 annual (statute row)
- Registration / permit
- Registration required (statute row): Yes.
- Kitchen inspection
- Kitchen inspection (statute row): No.
- Food-handler training
- Food-handler training (statute row): Yes.
- Last verified
- 2026-10-15
Where in-state sales usually go
Sales cap, registration, allowed foods, and every county — free on Crosodo.
From the Crosodo statute row: Sales are limited to direct-to-consumer channels: community events, farmers markets, from the producer's home, online (in-state delivery by the producer personally or by mail/commercial delivery), and fundraising donations. Restaurants, retail stores, roadside stands, mail order wholesale, and catering are prohibited. All deliveries must be made by the producer personally unless shipped by mail or commercial delivery upon a prior online sale. Home-canned products in the pH/water-activity exemption category (Subd. 1(a)(2)) may not be sold outside of Minnesota.
County zoning, market manager rules, and home-occupation permits still apply on top of the state food rule. Start with the Minnesota state guide and your county page.
Labeling
Labels must accurately reflect: the name and registration number or address of the producer; the date on which the food was prepared; ingredients and any possible allergens; and the statement 'These products are homemade and not subject to state inspection.' At farmers markets and community events, a visible placard with the same statement must be displayed. Online sellers must display the statement on their website. Registration number may substitute for home address.
Walk the fields in the Minnesota cottage food labeling guide. Do not copy another state's disclaimer.
Interstate / shipping across state lines
Cottage-food / homemade-food exemptions are in-state instruments. They do not, by themselves, authorize interstate commerce. Confirm manufactured-food licensing with the state agency and FDA facility registration for your facts. We do not invent a permit name or a fee.
Cottage-food exemptions are state instruments. They do not replace federal rules that apply when food enters interstate commerce. If you want to ship out of state, ask the state manufactured-food program and confirm FDA facility registration for your situation. We do not invent a license name or a fee here.
Official sources
Every number and product claim on this page is tied to a source opened on 2026-10-15, plus the Crosodo statute row and — where we have them — the regulations library notes for Maryland, Colorado, and Virginia.
- Minnesota MDA cottage food registration — last verified 2026-10-15
- Minn. Stat. §28A.152
- Minnesota Department of Agriculture
- Minnesota extension
- Minnesota cottage food state guide
- Selling cottage food in Minnesota
- Minnesota labeling guide
- All 50 states — dried starter hub
Minnesota dried starter FAQ
Can I sell dried sourdough starter in Minnesota?
Minn. Stat. § 28A.152 cottage-foods exemption covers non-potentially hazardous foods with registration and training. Dry goods (herbs, pasta, spices, coffee) are in the statute summary. Dried starter is not named. Register with MDA and confirm the product.
What is the Minnesota cottage-food sales cap?
$78,000 annual (statute row)
Can I ship dried sourdough starter out of Minnesota under cottage food law?
Cottage-food / homemade-food exemptions are in-state instruments. They do not, by themselves, authorize interstate commerce. Confirm manufactured-food licensing with the state agency and FDA facility registration for your facts. We do not invent a permit name or a fee.
Crosodo Journal entries are recipe, craft, and cottage-food notes for home bakers. Recipes assume an active starter and basic equipment. Cottage food sales are governed by your state's law — start with the free state directory, check a product with Can I sell this?, or grab a label template. Not legal advice.
