Vermont — the rules
Selling Food From Home in Vermont: Cottage Food Rules (2026)
Yes — you can legally sell food made in your home kitchen in Vermont, under the Cottage Food Operator Exemption (Act 42 of 2025). Sales are capped at $30,000/year. Here is exactly what that means.
Vermont at a glance
| Home food sales | Allowed |
| Program | Cottage Food Operator Exemption (Act 42 of 2025) |
| Annual sales cap | $30,000 |
| Sales channels | Direct to consumers (see details — many direct-only states still allow online orders with delivery) |
What foods are covered
Non-TCS/shelf-stable foods only: baked goods, candy, jams, dried herbs, granola, and home-canned pickles/fruits/vegetables meeting pH or water-activity standards; no refrigerated/TCS foods. Direct-to-consumer within Vermont (online ordering with in-state delivery allowed); no sales to restaurants or licensed food establishments, no interstate shipping. Above $30,000/yr or for TCS foods, a Home Bakery/Home Caterer license with inspection is required
Permits and registration
No license under the exemption; must complete free annual Health Department online training and file an annual exemption form (by January 15) in the state portal; home-kitchen disclosure label required
Going legal in Vermont: 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.healthvermont.gov · forrager.com. 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 Vermont?
Yes — under Cottage Food Operator Exemption (Act 42 of 2025), with an annual sales cap of $30,000. Allowed foods and channels are specific; check the primary source.
How much can you sell under Vermont's cottage food law?
$30,000 per year under the current rules.
Do you need a permit to sell food from home in Vermont?
No license under the exemption; must complete free annual Health Department online training and file an annual exemption form (by January 15) in the state portal; home-kitchen disclosure label required