For food entrepreneurs

The following are resources to help keep food safe for people who make and sell baked goods, canned goods or other foods or who process produce they grow on their own farm or garden. 

Safe food sampling

Learn how to provide safe food samples and comply with the Safe Food Sampling law. Find videos, checklists and other resources.

Cottage foods

Training

• Cottage food producer food safety training - Tier 2 training for producers with $7,665 to $78,000 in annual sales.
• The Minnesota Farmers' Market Association offers free online Tier 1 cottage food training for producers with less than $7,665 in annual sales.

Food safety

• Using freeze-dried ingredients in cottage food
• Using frozen or fresh berries for frozen cottage foods
• When can you use fresh, cut fruit in cottage food products?
• Listeria and candied and caramel-coated apples
• Testing water activity in cottage foods

Food handling and sanitation

• Norovirus: step-by-step clean up of vomit and diarrhea
• Wearing single-use disposable gloves safely
• Handwashing for food safety
• Sanitizing equipment and food contact surfaces

Resources

• Sign up to receive the Cottage Foods Connections newsletter from Extension
• Follow this checklist to produce a safe and legal cottage food product
• Canning and pH testing record for cottage food producers
• Cottage Food Resource Hub
• Food Safety for Food Entrepreneurs - Iowa State University Extension Store. A series for food entrepreneurs about best practices related to food safety, food labeling, and cleaning and sanitation of food contact surfaces. Free to download.