Minnesota cottage food law
Last updated: · Research verified · Free PDF report
Tier: Great. No or very high sales cap, broad product list, multiple sales channels including retail and online. Most home bakers can run a meaningful operation here.
How to start in Minnesota
A practical path from “am I allowed?” to first sale. Not legal advice — confirm every step with Minnesota agencies and your local offices.
Confirm your products are allowed
Minnesota allows Non-potentially hazardous foods (those not requiring refrigeration) including baked goods, candies, condiments (honey, pickles, mustards, nut butters, salsas, sauces), dry goods (coffee, cereals, dried fruit/vegetables, herbs, pasta, spices, tea), pastries, preserves (jams, jellies, fruit butters, applesauce), snacks (granola, popcorn, chocolate-covered items), fermented foods, and juices. Home-processed and home-canned products with pH 4.6 or lower or water activity 0.85 or less (the original 'Pickle Bill' category) are also permitted.. High-risk or refrigerated foods usually need a commercial kitchen — not a cottage exemption.
Choose sales channels you can actually use
Sales cap: $78,000. Indirect / wholesale-style sales: No. Farmers markets and direct-to-consumer pickup are the usual start. Check county and city rules before advertising porch pickup.
Clear local zoning, licenses, and tax IDs
State cottage food rules are the floor. Your city or county may still require a business license, home occupation approval, HOA permission, or sales tax registration. Do this before you print an address on Instagram.
Registration, training, and kitchen rules
State registration: Yes. Food handler / training: Yes. Kitchen inspection: No. Complete certificates the market or agency will ask for.
Build compliant labels
Use the Minnesota label requirements on this site (and the free template). Match disclaimer language to the statute or agency guide before you print a batch.
Soft-launch, then first paid sales
Keep a simple sales log from day one so you stay under any annual cap. Soft-launch with pre-orders before a full market day.
Verify with official sources
Re-check the state cottage food page and your local health / planning office before you invest in equipment or marketing. Rules change.
What usually goes on the package
- Product name (common or usual name of the food)
- Business or producer name
- Producer address (or address alternative your state allows)
- Ingredients in descending order by weight
- Major allergen disclosures (e.g. wheat, milk, eggs, soy, tree nuts, peanuts, fish, shellfish, sesame)
- Net weight or quantity
- Home-kitchen disclaimer: “These products are homemade and not subject to state inspection.”
This is a planning checklist compiled for home bakers. It is not legal, tax, or zoning advice.
Minnesota vs neighboring cottage food laws
Tier and sales-cap snapshot for Minnesota and nearby states. Click through for full rules, labeling, and county pages.
| State | Tier | Sales cap | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| MinnesotaYou are here | Great | 78000 | This page |
| Iowa | Good | None | Iowa law → |
| North Dakota | Freedom | None | North Dakota law → |
| South Dakota | Good | None | South Dakota law → |
| Wisconsin | Freedom | Tiered | Wisconsin law → |
Need a compliant product label for Minnesota? Open the Minnesota label mockup.
78000
Non-potentially hazardous foods (those not requiring refrigeration) including baked goods, candies, condiments (honey, pickles, mustards, nut butters, salsas, sauces), dry goods (coffee, cereals, dried fruit/vegetables, herbs, pasta, spices, tea), pastries, preserves (jams, jellies, fruit butters, applesauce), snacks (granola, popcorn, chocolate-covered items), fermented foods, and juices. Home-processed and home-canned products with pH 4.6 or lower or water activity 0.85 or less (the original 'Pickle Bill' category) are also permitted.
Registration: Yes. Food handler cert: Yes.
Minnesota Statutes §28A.152 - Cottage Foods Exemption
Verbatim excerpt28A.152 COTTAGE FOODS EXEMPTION. Subdivision 1. Licensing provisions applicability. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (d), the licensing provisions of sections 28A.01 to 28A.16 do not apply to the following: (1) a person who prepares and sells food that is not potentially hazardous food, as defined in Minnesota Rules, part 4626.0020, subpart 62, if the following requirements are met: the prepared food offered for sale under this clause is labeled to accurately reflect the name and the registration number or address of the person preparing and selling the food, the date on which the food was prepared, the ingredients and any possible allergens, and the statement "These products are homemade and not subject to state inspection."; and (2) a person who prepares and sells home-processed and home-canned food products if the following requirements are met: (i) the products are pickles, vegetables, or fruits having an equilibrium pH value of 4.6 or lower or a water activity value of .85 or less; (iii) the person displays at the point of sale a clearly legible sign or placard stating: "These products are homemade and not subject to state inspection."; and (iv) each container of the product sold or offered for sale under this clause is accurately labeled to provide the name and the registration number or address of the person who processed and canned the goods, the date on which the goods were processed and canned, ingredients and any possible allergens, and the statement "These products are homemade and not subject to state inspection." Subd. 2. Direct sales to consumers. (a) A person qualifying for an exemption under subdivision 1 may sell the exempt food: (1) directly to the ultimate consumer at a community event or farmers' market; (2) directly from the person's home to the ultimate consumer; or (3) through donation to a community event with the purpose of fundraising. (d) Food products exempt under subdivision 1 may be sold over the Internet. Subd. 3. Limitation on sales. A person selling exempt foods under this section is limited to total sales with gross receipts of $78,000 or less in a calendar year. Subd. 4. Registration. A person who prepares and sells exempt food under subdivision 1 must register annually with the commissioner. The annual registration fee is $30. Subd. 5. Training. A person who sells exempt food under this section and is required to pay the registration fee in subdivision 4 must complete a safe food handling training course that is approved by the commissioner before registering under subdivision 4.
Source: revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/28A.152 →
Minnesota Cottage Food Law — Full PDF report
A comprehensive report covering the Minnesota statute, every county we've researched, and authoritative source URLs.
Download PDFWhere to verify Minnesota's rules
Minnesota Cottage Food Law — Official Guidance Summary
Official agency guidance changes without notice. The text below is reproduced for reference only — always confirm current rules on the agency website before relying on it.
- Minnesota Department of Agriculturehttps://www.mda.state.mn.us/food/business/cottage-food-producer-registration
Minnesota's cottage food rules are set by Minn. Stat. §28A.152. The summary below is drawn from Crosodo's verified statute research and official agency guidance. Always confirm current requirements on the state agency website before you sell.
Program basics
- Minnesota Statutes §28A.152 - Cottage Foods Exemption
- 78000
- Yes
- Yes
- No
Allowed products and sales channels
- Non-potentially hazardous foods (those not requiring refrigeration) including baked goods, candies, condiments (honey, pickles, mustards, nut butters, salsas, sauces), dry goods (coffee, cereals, dried fruit/vegetables, herbs, pasta, spices, tea), pastries, preserves (jams, jellies, fruit butters, applesauce), snacks (granola, popcorn, chocolate-covered items), fermented foods, and juices.
- Home-processed and home-canned products with pH 4.6 or lower or water activity 0.85 or less (the original 'Pickle Bill' category) are also permitted.
- Potentially hazardous foods requiring refrigeration, low-acid canned foods, chocolate-covered fruit, confections with alcohol, meat jerkies, and perishable baked goods. All canned goods and drinks must be non-potentially hazardous. Products in the home-canned category may not be sold outside of Minnesota.
- 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.
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.
Statute excerpt
- 28A.152 COTTAGE FOODS EXEMPTION. Subdivision 1. Licensing provisions applicability.
- (a) Except as provided in paragraph (d), the licensing provisions of sections 28A.01 to 28A.16 do not apply to the following: (1) a person who prepares and sells food that is not potentially hazardous food, as defined in Minnesota Rules, part 4626.0020, subpart 62, if the following requirements are met: the prepared food offered for sale under this clause is labeled to accurately reflect the name and the registration number or address of the person preparing and selling the food, the date on which the food was prepared, the ingredients and any possible allergens, and the statement "These products are homemade and not subject to state inspection."; and (2) a person who prepares and sells home-processed and home-canned food products if the following requirements are met: (i) the products are pickles, vegetables, or fruits having an equilibrium pH value of 4.6 or lower or a water activity value of .85 or less; (iii) the person displays at the point of sale a clearly legible sign or placard stating: "These products are homemade and not subject to state inspection."; and (iv) each container of the product sold or offered for sale under this clause is accurately labeled to provide the name and the registration number or address of the person who processed and canned the goods, the date on which the goods were processed and canned, ingredients and any possible allergens, and the statement "These products are homemade and not subject to state inspection." Subd.
- 2. Direct sales to consumers. (a) A person qualifying for an exemption under subdivision 1 may sell the exempt food: (1) directly to the ultimate consumer at a community event or farmers' market; (2) directly from the person's home to the ultimate consumer; or (3) through donation to a community event with the purpose of fundraising. (d) Food products exempt under subdivision 1 may be sold over the Internet. Subd. 3. Limitation on sales.
- A person selling exempt foods under this section is limited to total sales with gross receipts of $78,000 or less in a calendar year. Subd. 4. Registration. A person who prepares and sells exempt food under subdivision 1 must register annually with the commissioner. The annual registration fee is $30. Subd. 5. Training.
- A person who sells exempt food under this section and is required to pay the registration fee in subdivision 4 must complete a safe food handling training course that is approved by the commissioner before registering under subdivision 4.
Official sources
- State agency cottage food page: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/food/business/cottage-food-producer-registration
- Statute: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/28A.152
Summarized from official Minnesota cottage food statute research and agency guidance. Agency rules change — verify on the official site before relying on this information.
Training & pet treat resources
Official agency guides with study materials, labeling rules, and pet treat requirements. See also the pet treat guidance hub.
Minnesota Counties
87 counties tracked. Pick yours for the local zoning + health department links.
View all 87 counties →City zoning rules in Minnesota
City zoning rules apply on top of the state cottage food law — home occupation, customer pickup, signage, and employees.
The Cottage Baker's Field Guide (PDF)
A 6-page reference covering all 51 jurisdictions with methodology and tier explainers — same data as this directory, ready to print and tape to your wall.
Download the PDFWas this page helpful?
Minnesota cottage food law — FAQ
Do I need a license or permit to sell homemade food in Minnesota?
Yes — Yes. Food handler certification: Yes.
What foods can I sell under the Minnesota cottage food law?
Non-potentially hazardous foods (those not requiring refrigeration) including baked goods, candies, condiments (honey, pickles, mustards, nut butters, salsas, sauces), dry goods (coffee, cereals, dried fruit/vegetables, herbs, pasta, spices, tea), pastries, preserves (jams, jellies, fruit butters, applesauce), snacks (granola, popcorn, chocolate-covered items), fermented foods, and juices. Home-processed and home-canned products with pH 4.6 or lower or water activity 0.85 or less (the original 'Pickle Bill' category) are also permitted.
Is there a sales cap for cottage food in Minnesota?
78000
How good is Minnesota's cottage food law?
Minnesota is a Great-tier cottage food state by Crosodo's rating criteria. No or very high sales cap, broad product list, multiple sales channels including retail and online. Most home bakers can run a meaningful operation here.
Keep exploring Minnesota
Labels, product checks, county zoning, and local discuss — so one state page becomes a full readiness plan.
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What bakers ask about Minnesota
Seed threads for markets, zoning, and labels — join the channel or ask the directory.
Farmers market process in Minnesota?
Which markets welcome cottage bakers, what they charge, and label checks on day one.
Good label printers in Minnesota?
Local print shops or home setups that handle home-kitchen disclaimers cleanly.
Zoning experience in Minnesota counties?
Home occupation, pickup traffic, signage — what did your planning office actually require?
How I got legal in Minnesota
Registration portal tips, food handler cert, and the county step nobody publishes.
Minnesota label wording that passed review
Share real labels (blur personal info) and any county extras beyond the state minimum.
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Resources for cottage food and home bakers
Supplies, courses, insurance, farmers markets, kitchen rentals, and local services. To advertise here, visit crosodo.com/advertise. Browse all classifieds.
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Packaging, labels, baking tools, bulk ingredients, and equipment for cottage food operators. Reach home bakers across the country.
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Baking classes, cottage food business training, workshops, and food safety education. Reach home bakers across the country.
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Product liability, home bakery, market vendor, and small food business insurance. Reach home bakers across the country.
crosodo.com/advertiseAdvertise in Minnesota
Reach home bakers in Minnesota. Supply stores, farmers markets, kitchen rentals, co-packer referrals, and bakery services are welcome.
Learn about placementsYour business here
Local cottage food listings, community kitchens, farmers market dates, and non-profit events can be submitted for review.
Submit a community listingAds are paid placements. Crosodo does not endorse listed vendors. Verify all product, service, course, insurance, and legal information independently.
Cottage food laws are amended every year. This is a starting reference, not legal advice. Verify with Minnesota Department of Agriculture and your local health department before relying on this data.