Minnesota Cottage Food Guide: Start Your Home Food Business

Minnesota has quietly become one of the best states in the country for cottage food entrepreneurs. While other states pile on regulations and fees, Minnesota keeps it simple: sell up to $78,000 a year from your home kitchen with no permits, no inspections, and yes — you can sell online.

If you've been dreaming of turning your famous cookies or grandmother's jam recipe into a business, Minnesota's cottage food law makes it surprisingly straightforward to get started.

Who This Guide Is For

This guide walks you through everything you need to legally start a cottage food business in Minnesota, whether you're:

• A home baker wanting to sell at farmers markets
• Someone with a family recipe ready to go commercial
• An entrepreneur testing food business ideas before scaling up
• A current cottage food producer in another state considering a move

You'll learn exactly what you can sell, how much you can earn, where you can market your products, and the step-by-step process to get started legally.

What You Can Sell Under Minnesota's Cottage Food Law

Minnesota allows a wide range of non-potentially hazardous foods, which means items that don't require refrigeration for safety. Here's what's permitted:

Baked Goods

• Breads, rolls, and biscuits
• Cakes, cupcakes, and pastries
• Cookies and bars
• Pies with fruit, nut, or vegetable fillings
• Granola and cereal

Confections

• Chocolate and candy (without cream fillings)
• Fudge and brittles
• Popcorn and nuts
• Dried fruit and fruit leather

Preserved Foods

• Jams, jellies, and preserves
• Pickled vegetables (using tested recipes)
• Dried herbs and spice blends
• Honey (if you're the beekeeper)

What You Cannot Sell

Minnesota prohibits potentially hazardous foods that could cause foodborne illness:

• Fresh or cooked meats, poultry, or seafood
• Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt)
• Fresh or cooked eggs
• Cut fresh fruits and vegetables
• Cream pies or cream-filled pastries
• Foods requiring refrigeration

Sales Limits and Revenue Cap

Minnesota sets an annual gross sales limit of $78,000 per year for cottage food operations. This is one of the higher caps in the country — many states max out at $35,000 or $50,000.

Some key points about the sales limit:

• It's based on gross sales, not profit
• The limit resets each calendar year
• If you exceed $78,000, you'll need to transition to a commercial food establishment with permits and inspections
• There's no daily or per-transaction limit

Where You Can Sell Your Products

Minnesota allows cottage food sales through multiple channels:

Direct Sales

• Farmers markets
• Roadside stands
• Your home (with proper zoning)
• Community events and craft fairs

Online Sales

Minnesota explicitly allows online sales of cottage food products, including:

• Your own website
• Social media platforms
• Online marketplaces like Koti

Mail Order and Shipping

You can ship cottage food products anywhere within Minnesota via mail or delivery services. However, interstate shipping is not allowed under Minnesota's cottage food law.

Limited Wholesale

Minnesota allows limited wholesale to retailers, but with restrictions:

• Sales must still stay under the $78,000 annual cap
• Retailers must be located in Minnesota
• All labeling requirements still apply

Permit and Licensing Requirements

Here's where Minnesota really shines for entrepreneurs: no permits are required for cottage food operations under $78,000 annually.

You don't need:

• A food handler's permit
• A cottage food license
• Health department inspections
• Commercial kitchen certification

However, you may need:

• A general business license from your city or county
• Sales tax permit if required by your local jurisdiction
• Zoning approval if selling from your home

Kitchen and Food Safety Requirements

While Minnesota doesn't require inspections, you must follow basic food safety practices:

Kitchen Standards

• Use potable water for all food preparation
• Keep pets out of food preparation areas during production
• Maintain clean and sanitary conditions
• Store ingredients properly to prevent contamination

Food Handling

• Wash hands frequently during food preparation
• Use clean utensils and equipment
• Follow tested recipes for preserved foods
• Package foods in clean, food-grade containers

Labeling Requirements

Minnesota requires specific information on all cottage food product labels:

Required Information

• Product name
• Ingredient list (in descending order by weight)
• Your name and address
• The statement: "Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture"
• Net weight or volume
• Date the product was made

Allergen Information

While not explicitly required by cottage food law, it's smart business practice to include common allergen warnings (contains wheat, eggs, nuts, etc.).

Label Example

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Grandma's Chocolate Chip Cookies