Neither a cottage food registration or food license are required to make and sell honey or maple syrup products if:

1) The person makes the products from hives they own or rent or trees that are on land they own or rent, and

2) No purchased or "off-land" ingredients are added to the products (e.g., adding cinnamon or honey/syrup/sap sourced from others).

The honey and maple syrup products would be considered a "product of the farm or garden" under Minnesota Statute and can be sold from the home, direct to consumers, at farmers' markets, shipped, and wholesaled to other businesses. Labeling requirements still apply. Please see Food Labeling Requirements for more information.

A cottage food registration or food license is required when purchased or ingredients are added to the honey or maple syrup product or if the producer is using sap, maple syrup, or honey from another producer. When this happens, the product is no longer considered a product of their farm or garden and is no longer excluded from licensing requirements.

When is a cottage food registration required to sell honey or maple syrup products?

Neither a cottage food registration or food license are required to make and sell honey or maple syrup products if:

1) The person makes the products from hives they own or rent or trees that are on land they own or rent, and

2) No purchased or "off-land" ingredients are added to the products (e.g., adding cinnamon or honey/syrup/sap sourced from others).

The honey and maple syrup products would be considered a "product of the farm or garden" under Minnesota Statute and can be sold from the home, direct to consumers, at farmers' markets, shipped, and wholesaled to other businesses. Labeling requirements still apply. Please see Food Labeling Requirements for more information.

A cottage food registration or food license is required when purchased or ingredients are added to the honey or maple syrup product or if the producer is using sap, maple syrup, or honey from another producer. When this happens, the product is no longer considered a product of their farm or garden and is no longer excluded from licensing requirements.

No

Yes. Minnesota Statute 28A.151 (Farmers' Market or Community Event; Food Product Sampling and Demonstration) allows food sampling and cooking demonstrations at farmers markets and community events without a license. However, all requirements in the law must be followed.

The food product sample must be:

  • A small portion of no more than 3 ounces of a food or beverage that includes as a main ingredient a product sold by the vendor.
  • Provided to customers at no cost. 
  • Ingredients and foods used in the samples and demonstrations are obtained from sources that comply with Minnesota food laws.
  • Raw animal, raw poultry, and raw fish products must not be served as samples.
  • Food product sampling or demonstrations including cooked animal, poultry, or fish products must be prepared onsite at the event.
  • Animal or poultry products used must be from animals slaughtered under continuous inspection, either by the USDA or through Minnesota's Equal-To inspection program.
  • Signage that lists the food sample’s ingredients and major allergens is posted. 
  • Food samples can be pre-packaged prior to the event. Those offering pre-packaged food samples that are completely sealed to prevent bare hand contact with the food are not required to have a handwashing station at the event. A handwashing station is required when handling open food for sampling or cooking demonstrations.

NOTE - The same food safety requirements as a Special Event Food Stand apply to sampling and cooking demonstrations. More details about requirements can be found on University of Minnesota Extension's website.

Can I provide samples of the cottage foods I sell?

Yes. Minnesota Statute 28A.151 (Farmers' Market or Community Event; Food Product Sampling and Demonstration) allows food sampling and cooking demonstrations at farmers markets and community events without a license. However, all requirements in the law must be followed.

The food product sample must be:

  • A small portion of no more than 3 ounces of a food or beverage that includes as a main ingredient a product sold by the vendor.
  • Provided to customers at no cost. 
  • Ingredients and foods used in the samples and demonstrations are obtained from sources that comply with Minnesota food laws.
  • Raw animal, raw poultry, and raw fish products must not be served as samples.
  • Food product sampling or demonstrations including cooked animal, poultry, or fish products must be prepared onsite at the event.
  • Animal or poultry products used must be from animals slaughtered under continuous inspection, either by the USDA or through Minnesota's Equal-To inspection program.
  • Signage that lists the food sample’s ingredients and major allergens is posted. 
  • Food samples can be pre-packaged prior to the event. Those offering pre-packaged food samples that are completely sealed to prevent bare hand contact with the food are not required to have a handwashing station at the event. A handwashing station is required when handling open food for sampling or cooking demonstrations.

NOTE - The same food safety requirements as a Special Event Food Stand apply to sampling and cooking demonstrations. More details about requirements can be found on University of Minnesota Extension's website.

No

No. Chocolate-covered fruit is not allowed to be sold as a cottage food (e.g., berries, pineapple, melon).

Are chocolate-covered strawberries allowed to be made and sold with a cottage food registration?

No. Chocolate-covered fruit is not allowed to be sold as a cottage food (e.g., berries, pineapple, melon).

No

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will send you a registration card in the mail with a unique registration number Keep your registration with you when selling food. An inspector or market manager may ask to see it and you need to show your registration when asked.

  • You may check the status of your registration in the MDA's Licensing Information Search. Fill in the desired search terms (registration number, name, city, or county) and select COTTAGE FOOD PRODUCER REGISTRATION in the License Type list.
  • Once you are listed you can sell your cottage food items, even if you have not yet received your registration card in the mail.
  • It may take up to 30 days for your registration to be processed and displayed in the online system. Registration cards are mailed within one week of processing.
I applied for my cottage food registration - now what?

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will send you a registration card in the mail with a unique registration number Keep your registration with you when selling food. An inspector or market manager may ask to see it and you need to show your registration when asked.

  • You may check the status of your registration in the MDA's Licensing Information Search. Fill in the desired search terms (registration number, name, city, or county) and select COTTAGE FOOD PRODUCER REGISTRATION in the License Type list.
  • Once you are listed you can sell your cottage food items, even if you have not yet received your registration card in the mail.
  • It may take up to 30 days for your registration to be processed and displayed in the online system. Registration cards are mailed within one week of processing.
No

Some resources that cottage food producers find helpful are: