Planning for community events or farmers markets can be tricky, and sometimes you may find yourself with more cottage food products than you can sell.
While it might be tempting to donate your leftovers, food banks and food shelves cannot accept cottage food items because they must obtain products from approved, licensed sources.
Where to share leftovers
Places where you may offer your leftover cottage food products for free include:
- local Buy Nothing Facebook groups.
- neighborhood apps.
- community exchanges.
Keep in mind that even when you give food away for free, it is still considered a form of sales. This means you must still follow the Cottage Food Law when giving away your cottage food products for free, including ensuring proper labeling and allergen declarations.
Extending the season
Just because summer markets have ended doesn’t mean your selling opportunities have. Many neighborhoods and cities host indoor community events and holiday markets throughout the colder months. These can be a great way to continue sharing your cottage foods with local customers. You will typically find vendor applications on the market event webpage or social media page.
Use the Minnesota Grown Directory to find winter markets in your area
Allowed cottage food selling locations
As a cottage food producer, you may sell directly to consumers through the following:
- From your home: With the option for hand delivery or pickup.
- Online through websites or social media: With the option for hand delivery or pickup.
- Community events: Open to the public with a defined start and end time where multiple vendors are participating.
- Farmers markets: An association of three or more persons who assemble at a defined location that is open to the public for the purpose of selling products of a farm or garden occupied and cultivated by the person selling the product.
- Commercial delivery: For pet treats only.
Cottage food producers may not sell to or at other businesses, such as restaurants, cafes, grocery stores, gift shops. Doing so requires a food handler’s license, and the products may not be made in a home kitchen.
Remember, the cottage food producer or an employee must be physically present whenever selling at farmers markets or community events.
Donating for fundraising purposes
A cottage food producer may donate their cottage foods to a community event with the purpose of fundraising or an individual or organization (educational, charitable or religious). The cottage food producer is not required to be present at the fundraising event.
Interested in selling cottage food?
Minnesota allows individuals to make up to $78,000 in gross annual sales, making and selling certain non-potentially hazardous food and canned goods. Extension offers training and tips on how to prepare cottage foods safely.
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