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Vermont's Cottage Food Law

Vermont's home food production law allows individuals to prepare and sell certain low-risk foods from a residential kitchen without operating a licensed food facility. The law covers non-potentially hazardous foods, meaning products that don't require refrigeration to stay safe. This includes baked goods, jams, jellies, candy, and similar shelf-stable items. You must be operating from your own home kitchen, not a shared or commercial space.

Vermont permits a wide range of sales channels for cottage food producers. You can sell at farmers markets, roadside stands, and directly to consumers in person. Online orders are allowed, and you can ship products to customers within the state. There are no restrictions limiting you to in-person sales only, which gives your business meaningful flexibility in how you reach customers.

Your annual gross sales cannot exceed $125,000, which is one of the higher revenue caps in the country. You are required to obtain a permit or registration before you begin selling. Vermont's relatively generous revenue ceiling and allowance for online sales and shipping put it ahead of many other states for home-based food entrepreneurs. If you're ready to get started, registering early gives your business room to grow from day one.

Quick Summary

Vermont cottage food law allows:

  • •Baked goods (bread, cookies, cakes, muffins, pies)
  • •Jams, jellies, and preserves
  • •Candy and confections
  • •Roasted nuts
  • •Dried herbs and herb blends
  • •Granola and cereals

Not allowed:

  • •Meat and poultry products
  • •Dairy products requiring refrigeration
  • •Low-acid canned goods
  • •Foods requiring temperature control for safety
  • •Alcoholic beverages
  • •Seafood products

Sales limit: $125,000 per year

Annual Limit

$125,000/year

Permit Required

Yes

Online Orders

Allowed

Shipping

Allowed

Permitted Foods

  • ✓Baked goods (bread, cookies, cakes, muffins, pies)
  • ✓Jams, jellies, and preserves
  • ✓Candy and confections
  • ✓Roasted nuts
  • ✓Dried herbs and herb blends
  • ✓Granola and cereals
  • ✓Honey and maple syrup products
  • ✓Non-potentially hazardous snack foods

Prohibited Foods

  • ✗Meat and poultry products
  • ✗Dairy products requiring refrigeration
  • ✗Low-acid canned goods
  • ✗Foods requiring temperature control for safety
  • ✗Alcoholic beverages
  • ✗Seafood products

Labeling Requirements

  • ✓Producer's name and home address
  • ✓Product name or description
  • ✓Complete ingredient list in descending order by weight
  • ✓Allergen disclosure
  • ✓Net weight or net volume
  • ✓Statement that the product was made in a home kitchen not inspected by the state

Starting a Home Bakery in Vermont

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

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

endvr helps Vermont bakers do all three in one place.

Tools for Vermont Cottage Food Bakers

Create compliant labels in seconds

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

Download on the App StoreOr sign up on web →

Vermont allows online orders

Launch an online bakery storefront

Since Vermont 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 Vermont Bakers Ask

Can I sell baked goods from home in Vermont?+
Yes. Vermont'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 Vermont?+
Yes. Vermont 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 Vermont?+
Vermont cottage food producers may earn up to $125,000 per year from direct sales. Sales above this limit may require a commercial food license.
Can I take orders online in Vermont?+
Yes. Vermont 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 Vermont?+
Yes. Vermont 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 Vermont?+
Under Vermont's cottage food law, permitted products include Baked goods (bread, cookies, cakes, muffins, pies), Jams, jellies, and preserves, Candy and confections, Roasted nuts, Dried herbs and herb blends, Granola and cereals 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 Vermont?+
Vermont requires cottage food labels to include: Producer's name and home address; Product name or description; Complete ingredient list in descending order by weight; Allergen disclosure.

Common Vermont cottage food questions

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

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