Cottage Food Laws
Cottage food laws allow home bakers to sell certain homemade foods directly to consumers without a commercial kitchen or food establishment license. Rules vary significantly by state.
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Quick comparison
| Feature | Florida | Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Annual sales cap | $250,000 | $78,000 |
| Permit or registration | Not required | Required |
| Training | Not required | Required |
| Kitchen inspections | Complaint-only | None |
| Online sales | Yes, with shipping | Yes, in-person delivery only |
| In-state shipping | Yes | Not until Aug 2027 |
Florida
Annual sales limit
$250,000 — Gross annual sales. All sales must be direct to consumers — wholesale is not permitted.
Permit or registration
No food permit or license is required. Operations are exempt from permitting under Section 500.12.
Training requirements
No mandatory food safety course or training.
Kitchen inspections
No routine inspections. Inspections occur only upon receipt of a complaint by FDACS.
Allowed foods
All products must be non-potentially hazardous (no refrigeration required).
- +Breads, rolls, biscuits, bagels, tortillas
- +Cakes, cupcakes, cake pops, pastries, cookies, brownies, scones, muffins, donuts, macarons
- +Candies, confections, marshmallows
- +Fruit pies
- +Dried fruits
- +Honey
- +Jams, jellies, preserves
- +Dry herbs, seasonings, spice mixes
- +Homemade dry pasta
- +Cereals, trail mixes, granola
- +Coated or uncoated nuts, seeds
- +Vinegar and flavored vinegars
- +Popcorn, popcorn balls, kettle corn, caramel corn
- +Candied/caramel apples
- +Chocolate-covered items (non-perishable)
- +Crackers, pretzels
Not allowed
- –Meat and poultry products
- –Seafood of any type
- –Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream)
- –Shell eggs and products containing raw eggs
- –Any food requiring refrigeration (TCS/PHF foods)
Labeling requirements
- +Name and address of the cottage food operation
- +Name of the product
- +Ingredients listed in descending order by weight
- +Net weight or net volume
- +Allergen information per federal requirements
- +Nutrition facts (only if making nutritional claims)
Required disclaimer
“Made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to Florida's food safety regulations.”
Must be displayed in at least 10-point type.
Where you can sell
- +Direct to consumers in person
- +Farmers markets, fairs, community events
- +From the home/residence
- +Over the internet
- +Mail order via USPS or commercial carrier
Cannot sell wholesale to stores, restaurants, or other businesses.
Shipping
Within Florida
Can ship via USPS or commercial carrier directly to consumers within Florida.
Out of state
Not permitted. Cottage food is exempt from state — not federal — food safety regulations.
Minnesota
Annual sales limit
$78,000 — Maximum gross annual sales per individual. This amount is adjusted every two years based on the Consumer Price Index.
Permit or registration
Registration with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is required before any sales begin. No food handler license is needed.
Registration expires March 31 each year and must be renewed by April 1.
Training requirements
Kitchen inspections
No inspections required. Production must occur in the producer's home kitchen or a commercial kitchen.
Allowed foods
All products must be non-potentially hazardous (no refrigeration required).
- +Baked goods (breads, cookies, cakes, muffins, pies)
- +Candy and confections
- +Jams, jellies, preserves
- +Dried goods, dried herbs
- +Nuts, granola, trail mix
- +Homemade dried pasta
- +Popcorn
- +Home-canned products with pH of 4.6 or lower (pickles, canned vegetables, canned fruits)
- +Pet treats (baked or dehydrated, dogs/cats only)
Not allowed
- –Meat, poultry, fish
- –Dairy products
- –Foods requiring refrigeration
- –Chocolate-covered fruit (considered potentially hazardous)
- –Edible cannabinoids (THC/CBD products)
- –Home-canned items with pH above 4.6
- –Pickled eggs, pickled fish, pickled meats
Labeling requirements
- +Producer's full name or registered business name
- +Registration number or home address
- +Date the product was made
- +Complete ingredient list with major allergens identified
Required disclaimer
“These products are homemade and not subject to state inspection.”
Where you can sell
- +Producer's home (subject to local zoning)
- +Farmers markets
- +Community events
- +Internet orders with in-person delivery
- +Charitable donations for fundraising
Cannot sell to retail stores or restaurants. Internet orders currently require in-person delivery for human food. Shipping via mail or carrier is permitted for pet treats only.
Shipping
Within Minnesota
Not currently permitted for human food — in-person delivery only. Shipping within Minnesota will be allowed starting August 1, 2027. Pet treats may be shipped now.
Out of state
Not permitted. Home-canned goods are explicitly restricted to sale within Minnesota.
Upcoming changes
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Cottage food laws change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your state's official resources before selling. Last reviewed April 2026.
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