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Selling cottage food in Minnesota
What is the Minnesota cottage food law?
Individual producers can make and sell certain non-potentially hazardous food and canned goods without a license.
10,853
# of Minnesota cottage food producers in 2024
87
# of counties in Minnesota with cottage food producers
$78,000
Annual gross sales limit for Tier 2 producers
Cost and training requirements
All cottage food producers must register annually with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) before they can sell their foods. Registrations expire annually and must be renewed to continue your cottage food business.
New registration renewal dates in 2026
The MDA has updated the 2026 renewal period. Beginning in 2026, the registration period will be April 1 through March 31 of each year. To support this transition, all 2025 registrations will be automatically extended through March 31, 2026. This creates a one-time, 15-month registration period. If you have a 2025 registration, you will automatically remain registered until March 31, 2026, even if your card lists a different date.
Look out for renewal notices from the MDA by mid-February 2026.
If you have registration and renewal questions, please contact [email protected] or visit the MDA Cottage Food Producer Registration webpage.
Tier 1
Less than $7,665 in gross annual sales
Cottage food producers with less than $7,665 in gross annual sales can complete free online training through the MDA's cottage food page or through the Minnesota Farmers' Market Association. Registration with the MDA is free for tier 1 cottage food producers.
Tier 2
$7,665 to $78,000 in gross annual sales
Cottage food producers with $7,665 to $78,000 in gross annual sales are required to pay $50 and complete a cottage food producer food safety training every three years. The online, self-paced course is offered through the University of Minnesota Extension. Registration with the MDA includes a $50 registration fee for tier 2 cottage food producers.
Cottage Foods Safety Hour: Ask the experts
Minnesota cottage foods producers and farmers market managers are invited every month to attend a virtual Cottage Foods Safety Hour to hear a short presentation and then ask Extension educators questions.
Submit questions in advance by emailing [email protected].
Resources
Cottage food safety checklist
This checklist is a reference that includes key food safety practices that are important in your cottage food business.
Testing water activity levels
The Minnesota Cottage Food Exemption law requires that cottage food products have a water activity level of 0.85 or lower.
Using a pH meter to test cottage foods
Using a pH meter at home or in your cottage foods business to verify the safety of your acidic and acidified food products is a best practice.
Preserving food: hot-fill hold
This technique is ideal for foods with a smooth consistency and a pH of 4.1 or lower, such as barbecue sauce.
Preserving food: cold-fill hold
Cold-fill hold is valuable for those who wish to process foods that may lose quality if exposed to high heat before bottling, such as mustard or certain sauces.
Safe food sampling
Food sampling and cooking demonstrations are allowed at farmers markets and community events without a license.
Learn more
Explore practical tips and up-to-date guidance along with stories about what cottage food producers are making around Minnesota.
Minnesota food entrepreneurs needs assessment survey
Are you currently operating a food business or planning to start one in the state of Minnesota? We want to hear from you!
Your input is valuable and will remain anonymous. The information you provide will help us develop tailored food safety programs and resources to support you in safely operating and growing your food business. The survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete.
The survey is available in English, Spanish, Hmong and Somali.
More from the cottage food team
Have a question? Contact Autumn Stoll at [email protected].
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