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Wisconsin's Cottage Food Law

Wisconsin's cottage food law allows individuals to produce and sell certain low-risk homemade foods directly to consumers without a commercial kitchen or food processing license. The law applies to home-based producers and covers non-potentially hazardous foods, meaning products that don't require refrigeration to stay safe. If you're baking out of your home kitchen and selling shelf-stable goods, you likely qualify under this framework.

You can sell your products directly to consumers at farmers markets, roadside stands, flea markets, and similar in-person venues. Online sales are not permitted, and you cannot ship products to customers. All transactions must happen face-to-face. Wisconsin does not allow cottage food products to be sold through retail stores, restaurants, or any third-party reseller, so your sales channel is limited to direct, in-person contact with the end buyer.

Your gross annual revenue from cottage food sales cannot exceed $7,500. No permit, license, or registration is required before you start selling. One notable limitation is that Wisconsin's cap is lower than many other states, which can restrict growth. That said, the zero-permit requirement means you can start your business immediately once you understand the rules and get your labeling in order.

Quick Summary

Wisconsin cottage food law allows:

  • •Baked goods (cookies, cakes, breads, muffins, pastries)
  • •Candies and fudge
  • •Jams, jellies, and preserves made from fruits
  • •Dry herbs and herb blends
  • •Dry mixes (soup, spice, baking mixes)
  • •Roasted nuts

Not allowed:

  • •Meat and poultry products
  • •Foods requiring refrigeration for safety
  • •Low-acid canned goods
  • •Dairy-based products
  • •Cream-filled or custard-filled baked goods
  • •Cut fresh fruits or vegetables

Sales limit: $7,500 per year

Annual Limit

$7,500/year

Permit Required

No

Online Orders

Not Allowed

Shipping

Not Allowed

Permitted Foods

  • ✓Baked goods (cookies, cakes, breads, muffins, pastries)
  • ✓Candies and fudge
  • ✓Jams, jellies, and preserves made from fruits
  • ✓Dry herbs and herb blends
  • ✓Dry mixes (soup, spice, baking mixes)
  • ✓Roasted nuts
  • ✓Granola and trail mix
  • ✓Honey

Prohibited Foods

  • ✗Meat and poultry products
  • ✗Foods requiring refrigeration for safety
  • ✗Low-acid canned goods
  • ✗Dairy-based products
  • ✗Cream-filled or custard-filled baked goods
  • ✗Cut fresh fruits or vegetables
  • ✗Fermented foods

Labeling Requirements

  • ✓Name and home address of the producer
  • ✓Common name of the product
  • ✓Complete list of ingredients in descending order by weight
  • ✓Major food allergen disclosure
  • ✓Net weight or net volume
  • ✓Statement: 'This product was made in a home kitchen that is not inspected by the state or a local health department'

Starting a Home Bakery in Wisconsin

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

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

endvr helps Wisconsin bakers do all three in one place.

Tools for Wisconsin Cottage Food Bakers

Create compliant labels in seconds

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

Download on the App StoreOr sign up on web →

Common Questions Wisconsin Bakers Ask

Can I sell baked goods from home in Wisconsin?+
Yes. Wisconsin'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 Wisconsin?+
No permit is required in Wisconsin to sell cottage food products, though you must still comply with labeling requirements and sales restrictions.
How much can I earn selling cottage food in Wisconsin?+
Wisconsin cottage food producers may earn up to $7,500 per year from direct sales. Sales above this limit may require a commercial food license.
Can I take orders online in Wisconsin?+
Wisconsin does not permit online sales of cottage food products under the cottage food law. Sales must be conducted in person through direct transactions.
Can I ship cottage food products in Wisconsin?+
No. Wisconsin does not allow shipping of cottage food products. Sales must be completed through direct, in-person transactions with the consumer.
What foods can I sell from home in Wisconsin?+
Under Wisconsin's cottage food law, permitted products include Baked goods (cookies, cakes, breads, muffins, pastries), Candies and fudge, Jams, jellies, and preserves made from fruits, Dry herbs and herb blends, Dry mixes (soup, spice, baking mixes), Roasted nuts 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 Wisconsin?+
Wisconsin requires cottage food labels to include: Name and home address of the producer; Common name of the product; Complete list of ingredients in descending order by weight; Major food allergen disclosure.

Common Wisconsin cottage food questions

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

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