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Minnesota's Cottage Food Law

Minnesota's cottage food law allows individuals to produce and sell certain homemade foods directly to consumers without operating a licensed food facility. To qualify, you must operate out of your personal residential kitchen. The law covers non-potentially hazardous foods, meaning products that don't require refrigeration to stay safe, such as baked goods, jams, candies, and similar shelf-stable items.

You can sell your cottage food products directly to consumers through farmers markets, roadside stands, fairs, and other in-person venues. Online orders are permitted, but you must arrange for in-person pickup or local delivery rather than shipping through a carrier. You cannot ship products to customers. Sales must always be direct between you and the end consumer, with no wholesale or retail resale allowed.

Minnesota caps annual gross revenue at $78,000, which is notably higher than most states. You are required to obtain a cottage food permit before you begin selling. One distinctive feature of Minnesota's law is that it allows online ordering with local delivery, giving your business more reach than many comparable states permit. With a solid revenue ceiling and flexible sales options, Minnesota offers real room to grow a home-based food business.

Quick Summary

Minnesota cottage food law allows:

  • •Baked goods (breads, cookies, cakes, muffins, pastries)
  • •Jams, jellies, and preserves
  • •Candies and confections
  • •Roasted nuts and nut mixes
  • •Dried herbs and herb blends
  • •Honey and maple syrup products

Not allowed:

  • •Meat and poultry products
  • •Dairy-based products requiring refrigeration
  • •Canned low-acid vegetables
  • •Garlic-in-oil preparations
  • •Cut fresh fruits and vegetables
  • •Foods requiring temperature control for safety

Sales limit: $78,000 per year

Annual Limit

$78,000/year

Permit Required

Yes

Online Orders

Allowed

Shipping

Allowed

Permitted Foods

  • ✓Baked goods (breads, cookies, cakes, muffins, pastries)
  • ✓Jams, jellies, and preserves
  • ✓Candies and confections
  • ✓Roasted nuts and nut mixes
  • ✓Dried herbs and herb blends
  • ✓Honey and maple syrup products
  • ✓Granola and cereals
  • ✓Fruit pies and fruit empanadas
  • ✓Popcorn and kettle corn

Prohibited Foods

  • ✗Meat and poultry products
  • ✗Dairy-based products requiring refrigeration
  • ✗Canned low-acid vegetables
  • ✗Garlic-in-oil preparations
  • ✗Cut fresh fruits and vegetables
  • ✗Foods requiring temperature control for safety
  • ✗Alcoholic beverages

Labeling Requirements

  • ✓Producer's name and home address
  • ✓Product name
  • ✓Ingredient list in descending order by weight
  • ✓Allergen disclosure
  • ✓Net weight or net volume
  • ✓Statement: 'This product is not inspected by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture'

Starting a Home Bakery in Minnesota

Once you understand the cottage food rules, most Minnesota home bakers focus on three things:

  • →Pricing recipes so they are profitable
  • →Creating compliant labels
  • →Managing orders and preorders

endvr helps Minnesota bakers do all three in one place.

Tools for Minnesota Cottage Food Bakers

Create compliant labels in seconds

endvr's label maker automatically includes the Minnesota required disclaimer and allergen labeling — so your labels are always inspection-ready.

Download on the App StoreOr sign up on web →

Minnesota allows online orders

Launch an online bakery storefront

Since Minnesota permits online cottage food sales, endvr gives you a simple storefront where customers can browse, preorder, and pay — no website required.

Get your free storefrontDownload the iOS app →

Common Questions Minnesota Bakers Ask

Can I sell baked goods from home in Minnesota?+
Yes. Minnesota's cottage food law permits individuals to produce and sell certain non-potentially-hazardous foods from their home kitchen directly to consumers without a commercial kitchen license.
Do I need a permit to sell cottage food in Minnesota?+
Yes. Minnesota requires cottage food producers to obtain a permit or registration before selling. Contact your state health department for application details.
How much can I earn selling cottage food in Minnesota?+
Minnesota cottage food producers may earn up to $78,000 per year from direct sales. Sales above this limit may require a commercial food license.
Can I take orders online in Minnesota?+
Yes. Minnesota permits online orders for cottage food products. However, products must typically be delivered directly to the buyer in person — shipping is also permitted.
Can I ship cottage food products in Minnesota?+
Yes. Minnesota permits shipping of cottage food products to customers, which expands your market beyond local in-person sales.
What foods can I sell from home in Minnesota?+
Under Minnesota's cottage food law, permitted products include Baked goods (breads, cookies, cakes, muffins, pastries), Jams, jellies, and preserves, Candies and confections, Roasted nuts and nut mixes, Dried herbs and herb blends, Honey and maple syrup products and others. Generally, any food that does not require refrigeration for safety qualifies. Foods with cream, custard, or meat fillings are typically not allowed.
What labeling is required to sell cottage food in Minnesota?+
Minnesota requires cottage food labels to include: Producer's name and home address; Product name; Ingredient list in descending order by weight; Allergen disclosure.

Common Minnesota cottage food questions

→ Can I sell cottage food online in Minnesota?→ Can I ship cottage food in Minnesota?→ What is Minnesota's cottage food sales limit?→ What are Minnesota's labeling requirements?→ Can I use cream cheese frosting in Minnesota?

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