Cottage food safety in Minnesota
The Minnesota cottage food law allows individual producers to make and sell certain non-potentially hazardous food and canned goods without a license.
Extension provides training and resources to help cottage food producers feel confident that their products are safe to sell.
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.
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].
Cottage food registration levels
There are two registration levels — Tier 1 and Tier 2 — based on gross annual sales.
- Cottage food producers with less than $7,665 in gross annual sales can complete free online training through the or the .
- Registration with the MDA is free for Tier 1 cottage food producers.
- There is no cost for this training.
- This Tier 2 online, self-paced course is offered through the University of Minnesota Extension.
- Cottage food producers with $7,665 to $78,000 in gross annual sales are required to complete a cottage food producer food safety training every three years.
- A Tier 2 license includes a $50 registration fee.
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.
Related events
- Tier 2 cottage food producer training - Minneapolis
University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center
More from the food safety team
News | Events | YouTube | Newsletter
Have a question? Contact Autumn Stoll at [email protected].