Selling food you made at home in Minnesota
Checked against Minnesota Department of Agriculture on 2026-09-01.
Do you have to register?
Yes
With Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
Training required?
Yes
Complete it before you apply.
How much can you sell?
Tier 1: $7,665 a year. Tier 2: $78,000 a year.
Fee: Tier 1 free. Tier 2 $50.
Where you may sell
- Your own home
- Farmers markets
- Community events
- On the internet
Posting it to customers: No, except pet treats.
Worth knowing
- You register with the department every year, not once. Tier 1 also means an online training and exam every year, before you register.
- Tier 2 takes the Tier 2 training through the University of Minnesota Extension Food Safety Program, once every three years.
- The label must carry your full name or business name, your address or your registration number, the date you made it, the ingredients including allergens, and the words: "These products are homemade and not subject to state inspection." Selling online means posting that statement on the page too.
- Food must be non-potentially hazardous: pH 4.6 or lower, or water activity 0.85 or less.
- Baked and dehydrated dog and cat treats were added as allowed cottage foods in 2021.
Where to actually sell it in Minnesota
515 farmers markets and farm stands, which is one of the few places the rules above allow.
Every state
Source: Minnesota Department of Agriculture, read 2026-09-01. This is a plain-English summary and not legal advice. Your city or county can add rules the state does not, so check locally before you start.
Common questions
Do I need to register to sell food made at home in Minnesota?
Yes. Minnesota requires registration with Minnesota Department of Agriculture before you sell.
Is there a limit on what I can earn in Minnesota?
Tier 1: $7,665 a year. Tier 2: $78,000 a year.
Where can I sell in Minnesota?
Your own home. Farmers markets. Community events. On the internet.
Can I post it to customers?
No, except pet treats.