Minnesota — the rules
Selling Food From Home in Minnesota: Cottage Food Rules (2026)
Yes — you can legally sell food made in your home kitchen in Minnesota, under the Cottage Food Producer Registration (MN Dept of Agriculture). Sales are capped at $78,000/year. Here is exactly what that means.
Minnesota at a glance
| Home food sales | Allowed |
| Program | Cottage Food Producer Registration (MN Dept of Agriculture) |
| Annual sales cap | $78,000 |
| Sales channels | Direct to consumers (see details — many direct-only states still allow online orders with delivery) |
What foods are covered
non-potentially-hazardous foods (baked goods, certain jams/jellies) plus home-canned pickles, vegetables, or fruits with pH <= 4.6 or water activity <= 0.85; also homemade pet treats for dogs/cats
Permits and registration
Annual registration with MDA required before selling: Tier 1 (gross sales <= $7,665/yr) is free with annual MDA online training + exam; Tier 2 ($7,666-$78,000/yr) is $50/yr with an approved food safety course every 3 years; online sales allowed but producer must be present at sale or delivery (no shipping of human food)
Going legal in Minnesota: the plate-seller checklist
- Read the primary source (linked below) — caps and food lists are specific and they change.
- Label honestly — most programs require your name, address or registration, and a made-in-a-home-kitchen disclosure on packaging.
- Get your free EIN at irs.gov and open a separate account for food money.
- Take payment at order time — prepaid orders with a weekly cutoff are how home sellers stay profitable AND within caps.
- Build the storefront — a menu page, order-ahead with cutoffs, your own business line. Our free guide covers the whole playbook.
Sources and verification
Verified 2026-07 against: www.mda.state.mn.us · www.mda.state.mn.us · extension.umn.edu. Rules change — confirm with the primary source before acting; this guide is information, not legal advice.
Questions people ask
Is it legal to sell food from home in Minnesota?
Yes — under Cottage Food Producer Registration (MN Dept of Agriculture), with an annual sales cap of $78,000. Allowed foods and channels are specific; check the primary source.
How much can you sell under Minnesota's cottage food law?
$78,000 per year under the current rules.
Do you need a permit to sell food from home in Minnesota?
Annual registration with MDA required before selling: Tier 1 (gross sales <= $7,665/yr) is free with annual MDA online training + exam; Tier 2 ($7,666-$78,000/yr) is $50/yr with an approved food safety course every 3 years; online sales allowed but producer must be present at sal