Wyoming Cottage Laws

Wyoming has the BEST cottage food law in America – here's how to take full advantage of it!

Welcome to the land of ultimate food freedom! Wyoming doesn't just have cottage food laws – they have the revolutionary Wyoming Food Freedom Act, widely recognized as the best homemade food law in the entire United States. If you're a food entrepreneur dreaming of turning your culinary passion into profit, Wyoming offers opportunities that other states can only dream of. This guide will show you exactly how to build your food business empire in the Cowboy State!

What Makes Wyoming THE Best?

Wyoming's Food Freedom Act is revolutionary because it flips the script on traditional food regulation. Instead of telling you what you can do, Wyoming says you can do almost everything – with just a few reasonable exceptions.

No Government Interference

• No licenses required
• No permits needed
• No inspections mandated
• No zoning restrictions
• No mandatory training
• No registration fees

As the law states: Wyoming cottage food producers are “exempt from state licensure, permitting, inspection, packaging, and labeling requirements.”

Incredible Food Variety

Unlike other states that restrict you to baked goods and jams, Wyoming allows you to sell:

Any kind of food or drink that doesn't contain meat (with some meat exceptions for livestock producers)

This means you can legally sell things other states won't even consider:

• Fresh soups and stews
• Veggie lasagnas and casseroles
• Ice cream and frozen treats
• Salads and fresh meals
• Smoothies and fresh juices
• Cheese and dairy products
• Raw milk (for qualified producers)
• Cooked meals and prepared foods

Multiple Sales Channels

• Direct sales from your home
• Retail stores and grocery shops
• Restaurants and cafes
• Online sales with delivery
• Farmers markets and events
• Wholesale to other businesses
• Third-party sales through designated agents

$250,000 Annual Limit

While many states cap cottage food sales at $25,000-$50,000, Wyoming allows up to $250,000 annually – giving you real potential to build a substantial business!

What You Can Make and Sell

Wyoming's approach is beautifully simple: you can make and sell any kind of food or drink except for certain meat products (unless you qualify for the livestock producer exceptions).

Unlimited Non-Meat Foods

Baked Goods:

• Breads, cakes, cookies, pastries
• Pies, muffins, donuts, wedding cakes
• Everything traditional cottage food laws allow

Prepared Foods (Wyoming's Specialty):

• Soups, stews, and chili
• Casseroles and lasagnas
• Salads and grain bowls
• Cooked vegetables and sides
• Pasta dishes and sauces

Fresh and Dairy:

• Ice cream and frozen desserts
• Cheese and dairy products
• Raw milk (with proper qualifications)
• Fresh juices and smoothies
• Yogurt and fermented foods

Preserved Foods:

• Jams, jellies, and preserves
• Pickled vegetables and sauces
• Fermented foods like sauerkraut
• Dried fruits and vegetables
• Canned goods and salsas

Beverages:

• Fresh juices and smoothies
• Kombucha and fermented drinks
• Coffee and tea blends
• Non-alcoholic beverages

Meat Products (For Qualified Producers)

If you raise your own animals, you can also sell:

Poultry (up to 1,000 birds annually):

• Whole chickens, turkeys, ducks
• Chicken products like pot pies
• Must be from your own birds

Other Livestock:

• Rabbit meat (if you raise rabbits)
• Farm-raised fish (except catfish)
• Portions of live animals for future delivery

Eggs:

• From your own hens (under 3,000 birds)
• Can sell to consumers and retailers
• No inspection or grading required

What You CANNOT Sell

The few restrictions are mostly about commercial meat:

• Store-bought meat products (you can't buy chicken at the store and resell it)
• Wild game (only farm-raised animals)
• Catfish (regulated differently)
• Commercial meat processing (without proper facilities)

How to Get Started: The Wyoming Way

Starting your Wyoming food business is amazingly simple compared to other states!

Step 1: Choose Your Products

Select any foods from the vast allowed list above. Dream big – Wyoming won't hold you back!

Step 2: Set Up Your Kitchen

• Use your home kitchen (commercial kitchens are actually prohibited under this law)
• Maintain good sanitation practices
• No special equipment or certification required

Step 3: Understand Your Sales Options

For Perishable Foods:

• Must sell directly to consumers (in-person)
• Can sell from home, farmers markets, events
• Cannot sell perishable items through retail stores

For Non-Perishable Foods:

• Can sell anywhere: retail stores, restaurants, online
• Can wholesale to other businesses
• Can use designated agents for distribution
• More flexibility in sales channels

Step 4: Handle Customer Notification

Your only real requirement is informing customers that your food is homemade. You can do this through:

Direct Sales:

• Verbal notification
• Signs at point of sale
• Simple labels

Retail Sales: Must label non-perishable foods with: “This food was made in a home kitchen, is not regulated or inspected and may contain allergens”

Step 5: Start Selling Immediately!

That's it! You can literally start your Wyoming food business today with no waiting periods, applications, or government approval.

Advanced Opportunities: Designated Agents (2023)

Wyoming's latest innovation allows you to use “designated agents” to expand your reach:

What Are Designated Agents?

Third parties who can facilitate sales, transport, storage, or delivery of your products while you maintain producer status.

Examples:

• Retail stores like Meadowlark Market that hold your products and collect payments
• Delivery services that transport your foods to customers
• Storage facilities that hold your products
• Marketing partners who promote and sell your foods

Benefits:

• Expand without losing cottage food status
• Reach more customers
• Professional presentation and storage
• Consistent sales channel beyond farmers markets

Building Your Wyoming Food Empire

Start Small, Scale Big

1. Phase 1: Begin with direct sales from home
2. Phase 2: Add farmers markets and local events
3. Phase 3: Partner with local retailers as designated agents
4. Phase 4: Develop wholesale relationships with restaurants
5. Phase 5: Scale up to the $250,000 limit

Multiple Revenue Streams

Unlike other states, Wyoming allows you to:

• Sell fresh meals directly to customers
• Wholesale preserved goods to stores
• Supply restaurants with specialty items
• Offer catering services for events
• Create subscription meal programs

Seasonal Strategies

• Summer: Fresh salads, cold soups, ice cream
• Fall: Hearty stews, preserved foods, holiday treats
• Winter: Comfort foods, baked goods, hot beverages
• Spring: Light meals, fresh juices, seasonal specialties

Success Stories and Results

Wyoming's Food Freedom Act has been a “roaring success” according to Reason Magazine, with remarkable results:

Economic Impact

• 70% increase in farmers markets within five years
• Hundreds of new homemade food businesses
• Significant boost to rural economic opportunities
• No negative impact on public health

Real Businesses

Wyoming food entrepreneurs are thriving with businesses like:

• Home-based meal delivery services
• Specialty ice cream makers
• Artisan cheese producers
• Fresh soup and salad operations
• Custom catering businesses

State Official Support

State Rep. Tyler Lindholm confirms: “Currently Wyoming has experienced none of the deaths that we were all warned would happen.” The law continues to expand because it works so well.

Food Safety Best Practices

While Wyoming doesn't require training, following food safety practices protects your business:

Kitchen Safety

• Maintain clean work surfaces and equipment
• Store ingredients at proper temperatures
• Use clean utensils and containers
• Keep pets away from food preparation

Customer Communication

• Be transparent about your ingredients
• Provide clear information about allergens
• Maintain good relationships with customers
• Address any concerns promptly

Record Keeping (Recommended)

• Track production dates and batches
• Maintain customer contact information
• Keep ingredient purchase records
• Document any feedback or issues

Getting Help and Resources

Official Resources

• Wyoming Department of Agriculture: (307) 777-7321 or wda1@wyo.gov
• Wyoming Food Freedom Act Q&A: Available on state website
• Official guidance: Under “Wyoming Food Freedom Act” section

Community Support

• Wyoming Food Freedom Facebook Page: Connect with other producers
• Institute for Justice: Legal advocacy and resources
• Local farmers markets: Networking and learning opportunities

Educational Resources

• University of Wyoming Extension: Food safety information
• Online food safety courses: Not required but recommended
• Business development resources: Available through state programs

Ready to Build Your Wyoming Food Freedom Business?

Wyoming offers what every food entrepreneur dreams of: true freedom to build the business you want without government interference. Whether you want to sell fresh meals, artisan cheeses, or traditional baked goods, Wyoming gives you the tools and freedom to succeed.

Wyoming's Incredible Advantages:

• No permits, licensing, or inspections
• $250,000 annual sales potential
• Widest variety of allowed foods in America
• Multiple sales channels including retail
• Designated agents for expansion
• Continuous law improvements

Your Action Plan:

1. Choose your products from Wyoming's vast allowed list
2. Set up your home kitchen with good sanitation practices
3. Start selling immediately – no waiting for government approval
4. Notify customers about homemade food source (your only requirement)
5. Scale up strategically using direct sales, retail, and designated agents
6. Build toward the $250,000 limit with multiple revenue streams

The Wyoming Difference: While other states ask “What can we allow?”, Wyoming asks “What restrictions are actually necessary?” The result is a food freedom paradise where entrepreneurs can focus on creating great food and building successful businesses instead of navigating bureaucratic obstacles.

Wyoming proved that food freedom works. In the decade since the Food Freedom Act passed, there have been no widespread foodborne illness outbreaks, no public health disasters, and no regrets from policymakers. Instead, there's been economic growth, entrepreneurial success, and a thriving local food scene.

The bottom line: If you're serious about building a successful food business from home, Wyoming offers the best legal framework in America. The Cowboy State didn't just create cottage food laws – they created food entrepreneurship paradise!

Start your Wyoming food freedom journey today – no permits required!

---

Disclaimer: This information reflects Wyoming's Food Freedom Act as understood in 2024-2025. While Wyoming's law is very permissive, always verify current requirements with the Wyoming Department of Agriculture at (307) 777-7321 or wda1@wyo.gov. Individual circumstances may vary, and food safety practices are always recommended regardless of legal requirements.