The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Food and Feed Safety Division is considering impr
Yes. Minnesota Statute states that no person shall engage in the business of manufacturing, processing, selling, handling, or storing food without having first obtained a license for doing such business from the commissioner
You will need to determine your predominant mode of sales. If you know or estimate that at least 50 percent of your gross annual food sales will be to other businesses/establishments, then you will be required to obtain a Wholesale Food Processor/Manufacturer - USDA license at your processing location. If you have questions regarding your predominant method of sales, contact the MDA Licensing Liaison.
Even if your operation is producing one non-meat item, then your license type would be an MDA Wholesale Food Processor/Manufacturer, and not an MDA Wholesale Food Processor/Manufacturer – USDA license. An MDA Wholesale Food Processor/Manufacturer – USDA license is only applicable to establishments that manufacture and distribute 100 percent USDA items only. If your establishment produces a few seasonal non-meat (non-USDA) items such as dips, spreads, salsas, stuffings, etc., then your facility would be licensed as an MDA Wholesale Food Processor/Manufacturer.
Contact the MDA to determine your area Manufactured Food Program (MFP) inspector and arrange an in-person inspection. The area MFP inspector will provide you with a paper copy of the MDA Wholesale Food Processor/Manufacturer - USDA license application. An electronic form of the license application is NOT available through the MDA website.
Contact the MDA or submit a Food Licensing Liaison Request and the MDA licensing liaison will email you the area inspectors contact information.
NOTE: Contact your area inspector at least two weeks prior to your anticipated business start date.
- Your business plan
- Manufacturing/processing location(s)
- Equipment & facility design
- Food production process/steps
- Labels (Finished product or bulk)
- Ingredient and finished product storage
- Distribution methods
In addition to basic business information such as legal name, DBA, physical and mailing addresses, the following four items are required on the one page license application:
- Minnesota tax ID number associated with the business name registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State or your Social Security number, if filing as an individual.
- Workers Compensation Insurance policy number and effective dates if you plan on having paid or compensated employees (if applicable)
- Estimated gross annual food sales (January 1st – December 31st)
- Check, money order or cashier’s check for the license fee
License fees are based on your gross annual food sales. If you are found operating without a license, then a no-license penalty fee will apply.
| Anticipated Gross Annual Food Sales | License Fee | No License Penalty |
| $0 - $125,000 | $112.00 | $74.00 |
| $125,001 - $250,000 | $214.00 | $141.00 |
| $250,001 - $1,000,000 | $333.00 | $220.00 |
| $1,000,001 - $5,000,000 | $425.00 | $281.00 |
| $5,000,001 - $10,000,000 | $521.00 | $344.00 |
| $10,000,001 - $15,000,000 | $765.00 | $505.00 |
| $15,000,001 - $20,000,000 | $893.00 | $589.00 |
| $20,000,001 - $25,000,000 | $1,027.00 | $678.00 |
| $25,000,001 - $50,000,000 | $1,161.00 | $766.00 |
| $50,000,001 - $100,000,000 | $1,295.00 | $855.00 |
| Over $100,000,001 | $1,428.00 | $942.00 |
Annually. You must renew your license by December 31st each year. If you renew later than December 31st, a late fee will be applied. A license renewal form will be mailed to you prior to December each year. Online license renewal is an option.
| Gross Annual Food Sales and Services | Renewal License Fee | Late Penalty |
| $0 - $125,000 | $112.00 | $37.00 |
| $125,001 - $250,000 | $214.00 | $71.00 |
| $250,001 - $1,000,000 | $333.00 | $110.00 |
| $1,000,001 - $5,000,000 | $425.00 | $140.00 |
| $5,000,001 - $10,000,000 | $521.00 | $172.00 |
| $10,000,001 - $15,000,000 | $765.00 | $252.00 |
| $15,000,001 - $20,000,000 | $893.00 | $295.00 |
| $20,000,001 - $25,000,000 | $1,027.00 | $339.00 |
| $25,000,001 - $50,000,000 | $1,161.00 | $383.00 |
| $50,000,001 - $100,000,000 | $1,295.00 | $427.00 |
| Over $100,000,001 | $1,428.00 | $471.00 |
Review the MDA webpage Starting a New Business. This will inform you about topics such as:
- Applicable regulations such as USDA – Food Safety and Inspection Service requirements
Water source & waste water system requirements
- Food business zoning requirements
- Local authority inspections (e.g. building, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, fire)
- Certificate of Occupancy, if necessary
- Meat or dairy products
It is your responsibility to become familiar with all the applicable regulations and Minnesota Statues to ensure you are manufacturing food safely and in the best interest of public health. Depending on the food being produced in your facility, you may need to employ an individual with specialized training, seek additional education/training, or you may need to consult with an external source (university, expert, process authority or laboratory).
Annually. You must renew your license by December 31st each year. If you renew later than December 31st, a late fee will be applied. A license renewal form will be mailed to you prior to December each year. Online license renewal is an option.
| Gross Annual Food Sales and Services | Renewal License Fee | Late Penalty |
| $0 - $125,000 | $112.00 | $37.00 |
| $125,001 - $250,000 | $214.00 | $71.00 |
| $250,001 - $1,000,000 | $333.00 | $110.00 |
| $1,000,001 - $5,000,000 | $425.00 | $140.00 |
| $5,000,001 - $10,000,000 | $521.00 | $172.00 |
| $10,000,001 - $15,000,000 | $765.00 | $252.00 |
| $15,000,001 - $20,000,000 | $893.00 | $295.00 |
| $20,000,001 - $25,000,000 | $1,027.00 | $339.00 |
| $25,000,001 - $50,000,000 | $1,161.00 | $383.00 |
| $50,000,001 - $100,000,000 | $1,295.00 | $427.00 |
| Over $100,000,001 | $1,428.00 | $471.00 |
When do I need to renew my license?
Annually. You must renew your license by December 31st each year. If you renew later than December 31st, a late fee will be applied. A license renewal form will be mailed to you prior to December each year. Online license renewal is an option.
| Gross Annual Food Sales and Services | Renewal License Fee | Late Penalty |
| $0 - $125,000 | $112.00 | $37.00 |
| $125,001 - $250,000 | $214.00 | $71.00 |
| $250,001 - $1,000,000 | $333.00 | $110.00 |
| $1,000,001 - $5,000,000 | $425.00 | $140.00 |
| $5,000,001 - $10,000,000 | $521.00 | $172.00 |
| $10,000,001 - $15,000,000 | $765.00 | $252.00 |
| $15,000,001 - $20,000,000 | $893.00 | $295.00 |
| $20,000,001 - $25,000,000 | $1,027.00 | $339.00 |
| $25,000,001 - $50,000,000 | $1,161.00 | $383.00 |
| $50,000,001 - $100,000,000 | $1,295.00 | $427.00 |
| Over $100,000,001 | $1,428.00 | $471.00 |
Review the MDA webpage Starting a New Business. This will inform you about topics such as:
- Applicable regulations such as USDA – Food Safety and Inspection Service requirements
Water source & waste water system requirements
- Food business zoning requirements
- Local authority inspections (e.g. building, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, fire)
- Certificate of Occupancy, if necessary
- Meat or dairy products
It is your responsibility to become familiar with all the applicable regulations and Minnesota Statues to ensure you are manufacturing food safely and in the best interest of public health. Depending on the food being produced in your facility, you may need to employ an individual with specialized training, seek additional education/training, or you may need to consult with an external source (university, expert, process authority or laboratory).
What regulations must I know and understand prior to obtaining a license?
Review the MDA webpage Starting a New Business. This will inform you about topics such as:
- Applicable regulations such as USDA – Food Safety and Inspection Service requirements
Water source & waste water system requirements
- Food business zoning requirements
- Local authority inspections (e.g. building, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, fire)
- Certificate of Occupancy, if necessary
- Meat or dairy products
It is your responsibility to become familiar with all the applicable regulations and Minnesota Statues to ensure you are manufacturing food safely and in the best interest of public health. Depending on the food being produced in your facility, you may need to employ an individual with specialized training, seek additional education/training, or you may need to consult with an external source (university, expert, process authority or laboratory).
Category
License Title (formerly Alternate License Title)
Wholesale Food Processor Manufacturer USDA
January 6, 2025
The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has partnered with Minnesota to award $9.5 million through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain and strengthen local and regional food systems.
Through this program, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will fund 11 Infrastructure Grant projects to support middle of the supply chain infrastructure (Project summaries are listed below).
“Projects funded through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program are building strength and resilience in Minnesota’s food system, diversifying agricultural markets, creating new revenue streams for small and mid-sized producers, and providing economic opportunities for local communities,” said USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt. “USDA is grateful for Minnesota’s support strengthening local and regional agricultural supply chains.”
“We thank the USDA for the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program which benefits Minnesota businesses, farmers, and consumers by investing in the middle of the food supply chain in our state,” said Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. “These grants highlight the diversity of Minnesota’s food and ag sector, as the funding will benefit a wide range of industries, locations, and sizes of organizations and businesses.”
The Infrastructure Grants are part of a program that will fund projects that expand capacity and infrastructure for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transportation, wholesaling, or distribution of locally and regionally produced agricultural products. Funding for the RFSI Program is authorized by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan.
In addition to the grant awards, free technical assistance is available to producers, businesses, cooperatives, and other organizations that are part of the middle of the food supply chain in Minnesota through the RFSI Program. Assistance will be available until Spring 2027.
Technical assistance services are focused on:
- Supply chain coordination
- Food business development
- Market development services for local and regional food products
- Consultation on grant applications and grant administration guidance
For more information, visit the MDA’s RFSI Program webpage.
Project Summaries
Bongards’ Creameries, Bongards, MN - $1,572,259.50
Bongards' Creameries, a dairy cooperative owned by 176 farmer-producers, will purchase and install a new sliced cheese wrapper and diverter lane at the end of the production line and upgrade the two existing wrappers in its Bongards location. The investments will expand capacity for the manufacturing of Minnesota-made sliced processed cheese by 5.5M pounds per year.
Concept Processing, Melrose, MN - $304,780.84
Concept Processing will purchase and install automated gallon and 5-gallon bag milk fillers, two refrigerated milk trucks, and equipment for a walk-in cooler. The new equipment will expand Concept Processing’s capacity to efficiently package fluid milk from their seventh-generation dairy farm in Melrose into value-added bagged products, strengthening its ability to supply seven wholesale distributors and grow the farm-to-fork milk program with Minnesota public schools and universities.
Featherstone Farm, Rushford, MN - $250,535.90
Featherstone Farm in Rushford will expand and upgrade its warehouses and walk-in cooler facilities, and make equipment investments in a food safety compliant wash, dry, and pack line for salad crops; returnable plastic containers (RPCs); and a machine to sanitize the RPCs. The upgrades will allow greater aggregation, processing, storing, and distribution of Featherstone Farm’s Minnesota-grown vegetables and crops, as well as products from other Minnesota farms and food producers.
Green Acres Milling, Albert Lea, MN - $1,500,000
Green Acres Milling in Albert Lea will purchase cleaning and kilning equipment systems for a new innovative oat milling facility that will enhance the local food system and support rural development by filling a middle-of-the supply-chain gap for oat processing infrastructure. Green Acres Milling will work with over 100 local farmers within a 120-mile radius known as the "Oat-Shed" to source oats, offering them a reliable market with fair pricing, enabling production of an estimated 364,800 cwt of high-quality oat groats yearly, and meeting growing consumer demand for traceable, non-GMO, and allergen-free oats.
Hmong American Farmers Association, Hastings, MN - $1,680,351.38
The Hmong American Farmers Association will construct a new processing, storage, and kitchen facility for value-added food production on their incubator farm in Hastings. The facility will be enclosed and climate controlled so HAFA’s 104 Hmong farmer-members have access to a facility to process their fresh produce year-round and take advantage of winter sales opportunities.
Hoyo, Minneapolis, MN - $668,034.70
Hoyo will build out the new Hoyo Food Production Facility with the goal of increasing critical employment for Somali immigrants from the local community and meeting the needs for food production from local sources to support community cultural food demands in the middle of a food and employment desert in Minneapolis. Infrastructure improvements and specialized equipment will enable Hoyo to immediately double its production capacity, with long-term potential to increase production capacity by fivefold as sales grow.
Manna Food Cooperative, Detroit Lakes, MN - $304,198.19
Manna Food Cooperative will create and outfit a new commercially licensed processing kitchen, purchase processing equipment, and expand food-grade storage capacity for the benefit of local producers. The processing kitchen at Manna Food Co-op in downtown Detroit Lakes will provide the processing capacity onsite to lightly process and store fruits and vegetables for member suppliers and give them the opportunities to generate value-added products for wholesale buyers, particularly Minnesota schools.
Midwest Processors, Pierz, MN - $530,483.56
Midwest Processors, a family- and farmer-owned processor of sunflowers in Pierz, will purchase milling and screening equipment, install conveyors and temporary storage, and integrate packaging into the production line. The infrastructure investments will allow Midwest Processors to enhance value throughout the supply chain through innovative upcycling of sunflower meal into high-protein meal, establishing access to premium markets for Minnesota producers.
Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, Redby, MN - $872,410
The Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, through its Department of Agriculture, will expand its existing processing capacities to support new wholesale and retail opportunities of locally grown produce and value-added products. The project includes constructing a new food processing and storage facility adjacent to its greenhouse in Redby, purchasing and installing necessary processing equipment and technologies for the facility, and obtaining food safety consultation and training.
Sno Pac Foods, Caledonia, MN - $1,572,500
Sno Pac Foods Inc., a grower and processor of organic fruits and vegetables in southeastern Minnesota, will construct a new cold storage facility in Caledonia to store their own products, as well as provide additional storage for other agricultural companies. The new storage facility will be constructed on property adjacent to Sno Pac Foods' existing processing plant and office and will be substantially more efficient, saving time, fuel, labor, and leasing expenses, while filling a drastic need in this part of the state for cold storage.
The Food Farm, Wrenshall, MN - $222,006.22
The Food Farm, a diversified organic vegetable farm in Wrenshall, will construct a cooler and pack house addition to its current storage facility; install new equipment to clean, store, and package produce for markets across northeast Minnesota; and purchase a larger delivery vehicle with a liftgate. These improvements will enable the Food Farm to expand markets and offer middle-of-the-supply-chain capacity to other nearby producers so that newer farmers can grow and develop with less risk.
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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us
