Cottage Food Operations: Fitchburg vs Madison
How do cottage food operations rules compare between Fitchburg, WI and Madison, WI?
Fitchburg and Madison have similar restriction levels.
Fitchburg, WI
Dane County
Wisconsin's 'Pickle Bill' (Wis. Stat. §97.29(2)(b)) and the 2017 Court-ordered expansion allow home baking and canning sales without a license up to $5,000/year (baked goods) with no cap on pickled items. Madison, Fitchburg, and Dane County farmers markets all host cottage food vendors.
View full Fitchburg rules →Madison, WI
Dane County
Wisconsin Act 62 (2017) and WI Stat 97.29 allow home-based sale of non-hazardous baked goods and canned high-acid foods without DATCP licensing up to annual gross sales thresholds. Madison follows state law.
View full Madison rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Fitchburg | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Pickle Bill Cap | $5,000/yr Wis. Stat. §97.29 | - |
| Baked Goods | Unlimited per 2017 court ruling | No sales cap |
| Meat/Dairy | Requires DATCP license | - |
| Labeling | Full ingredient and allergen | Required disclosure |
| Sales Channels | Direct-to-consumer only | - |
| State Law | - | WI Act 62 and 97.29 |
| Canned Goods | - | 5,000 dollar cap |
| Licensing | - | None required |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Fitchburg FAQ
Can I sell cookies at the Dane County Farmers Market without a license?
Yes. Under the 2017 Dane County court ruling, home-baked non-hazardous goods (cookies, breads, bars) can be sold directly to consumers without a DATCP license, provided proper labeling is used.
Can I sell my home-canned tomato sauce?
Probably not. Tomato sauce is typically low-acid without pressure canning and is not on the Pickle Bill approved list. Jams, jellies, pickles, and certain high-acid salsas qualify under Wis. Stat. §97.29; tomato sauce usually does not.
Madison FAQ
Can I sell home-baked cookies in Madison?
Yes. Wisconsin cottage food law allows direct sale of baked goods with no sales cap and no DATCP license.
Can I sell home-canned pickles?
Yes, up to 5,000 dollars per year under WI Stat 97.29 with proper labeling and direct-to-consumer sale.
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