Minnesota Cottage Laws
Minnesota has one of the most supportive cottage food programs in the country, with a unique two-tier system that makes it easy to start small and grow big! Here's everything you need to know to get started.
What Makes Minnesota Special?
Minnesota's cottage food law stands out because it's designed to grow with your business. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, Minnesota offers two different tiers based on how much you want to sell, making it perfect for both casual bakers and serious entrepreneurs.
The Minnesota advantage:
- Two-tier system accommodating different business sizes
- Strong community support through the Minnesota Cottage Food Producer's Association
- Allows online sales and personal delivery
- Home-canned pickles and acidified foods permitted
- Recently increased sales limits (2021 expansion)
The Two-Tier System Explained
Minnesota makes it easy to start small and scale up with their innovative tier system:
Tier 1: Getting Started ($7,665 or less annually)
Perfect for: Testing the waters, part-time bakers, supplemental income
Requirements:
- FREE registration (no fees!)
- Take a simple online training and exam each year
- Annual registration renewal required
Tier 2: Growing Your Business ($7,666 – $78,000 annually)
Perfect for: Serious home entrepreneurs, scaling businesses
Requirements:
- $50 annual registration fee
- Take University of Minnesota Extension food safety course once every 3 years
- Annual registration renewal required
The best part: You can start in Tier 1 and move to Tier 2 when you're ready to grow!
What Can You Make and Sell?
Minnesota allows non-potentially hazardous foods – items that are shelf-stable and safe at room temperature. This includes a wide variety of products:
Traditional Cottage Foods
- Baked goods that don't require refrigeration (breads, cookies, cakes, muffins, pastries)
- Candies and confections (chocolates, fudge, hard candies)
- Jams, jellies, and preserves (certain types)
- Dried goods (granola, trail mix, dried fruits)
- Nuts and nut mixes
- Coffee beans and dried tea
- Herbs and spices
Unique to Minnesota
- Home-canned pickles, vegetables, and fruits (pH 4.6 or lower)
- Pet treats (non-perishable baked or dehydrated)
What You CAN'T Make
- Refrigerated items (cheesecakes, cream pies, etc.)
- Fresh-cut fruits or vegetables
- Meat, poultry, seafood
- Dairy products
- Low-acid canned foods
- Chocolate-covered fresh fruit
- Foods containing alcohol
Pro tip: Minnesota provides comprehensive guides to help you determine if your specific food qualifies. When in doubt, contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture at 651-201-6027.
Where Can You Sell?
Minnesota offers excellent selling opportunities:
Direct Sales:
- From your home (pickup and personal delivery within Minnesota)
- Farmers markets
- Community events and fairs
- Online (but you must personally deliver – no shipping for human food)
Special allowance: Pet treats can be shipped via mail or commercial delivery!
What you CAN'T do:
- Wholesale to restaurants or grocery stores
- Ship human food via mail or commercial delivery (changing in 2027!)
- Sell out of state (except pet treats with proper compliance)
Requirements to Get Started
Step 1: Choose Your Tier
Decide whether you want to start with Tier 1 (free, up to $7,665) or jump to Tier 2 (up to $78,000).
Step 2: Complete Training
- Tier 1: Simple online training and exam (free, annual)
- Tier 2: University of Minnesota Extension food safety course ($50, every 3 years)
Step 3: Register with Minnesota Department of Agriculture
- Complete online registration at mn.gov/elicense
- Pay fee if applicable (Tier 2 only)
- Receive registration card with unique number (allow 3-4 weeks)
Step 4: Check Local Requirements
Contact your city, county, or township about:
- Zoning restrictions
- Business licensing requirements
- Any local prohibitions
Labeling Requirements
Every product must be labeled with:
- Your name and registration number OR your name and address
- Date the food was produced
- Complete ingredient list (including potential allergens)
- Required statement: “These products are homemade and not subject to state inspection”
Display Requirements
When selling at farmers markets, community events, or any location away from home, you must display a sign stating:
“These products are homemade and not subject to state inspection”
For online sales, this statement must be prominently displayed on your website.
The Money Side: Smart Scaling
Tier 1 Benefits:
- No upfront costs to test your market
- Perfect for seasonal or occasional sellers
- Easy annual renewal process
Tier 2 Benefits:
- Substantial income potential ($78,000 annually)
- More comprehensive food safety training
- Ability to operate as a business entity (LLC, etc.)
Future opportunities: Recent legislation (2021) increased the sales cap from $18,000 to $78,000, and there are discussions about further increases and allowing shipping of human foods (effective 2027).
Special Features
Personal Delivery Requirement
Unlike many states, Minnesota requires that YOU personally deliver orders to customers. This means:
- You or your employee must be present during sale or delivery
- No third-party shipping services for human food
- Builds personal relationships with customers
- Ensures product quality and freshness
Pet Treats Advantage
Minnesota uniquely allows cottage food producers to make and sell pet treats, with the bonus of being able to ship them via mail – a great additional revenue stream!
Home-Canned Foods
Minnesota is one of the few states that allows home-canned pickles, vegetables, and fruits (with pH restrictions), giving you more product diversity than most states.
Getting Started: Your Action Plan
Step 1: Plan Your Business
- Decide what products you want to make
- Estimate your first-year sales to choose the right tier
- Research your local market and competition
Step 2: Complete Training
- Tier 1: Take the free online course
- Tier 2: Enroll in University of Minnesota Extension course
Step 3: Register
- Complete online application
- Pay fees if applicable
- Wait for registration card
Step 4: Set Up Operations
- Check local zoning and licensing requirements
- Create labels with required information
- Plan your selling strategy
Step 5: Start Small
- Begin at local farmers markets or community events
- Build customer relationships through personal delivery
- Use social media to advertise (but remember: no online shipping for human food)
Success Tips for Minnesota
Start in Tier 1: Even if you plan to grow quickly, starting in Tier 1 lets you test the market risk-free.
Build relationships: The personal delivery requirement is actually an advantage – use it to build loyal customers.
Join the community: Connect with the Minnesota Cottage Food Producer's Association for support and networking.
Keep good records: Track sales carefully to know when to move to Tier 2 and for tax purposes.
Consider pet treats: Adding pet treats to your product line opens up shipping opportunities.
Recent Updates and Future Changes
2021 Expansion:
- Sales cap increased from $18,000 to $78,000
- Allowed cottage food businesses to operate as LLCs
- Added pet treat shipping permissions
Coming in 2027:
- Shipping of human cottage foods will be allowed (passed in 2025 legislation)
Potential future changes:
- Further sales limit increases
- Expanded allowed foods
- More flexible shipping regulations
The Bottom Line
Minnesota offers one of the most thoughtfully designed cottage food programs in the country. The two-tier system lets you start small and grow at your own pace, while the personal delivery requirement helps build strong customer relationships.
Perfect for: Anyone wanting to start a food business with strong community support and room to grow.
Unique advantages: Two-tier scaling system, home-canned foods allowed, pet treats with shipping, and future shipping expansion coming.
Consider the requirements: Personal delivery is required, annual training/registration needed, and no immediate shipping for human foods (until 2027).
Minnesota's cottage food law represents a perfect balance of food safety, entrepreneurial opportunity, and community support. Whether you're a weekend baker or aspiring food entrepreneur, Minnesota provides the framework to turn your culinary passion into a thriving business.
Ready to start your Minnesota cottage food business? Visit mda.state.mn.us/food-feed/cottage-food-producer-registration to register and access training. Join the Minnesota Cottage Food Producer's Association for community support. Happy baking!
