Cottage Food Operations: Madison vs Middleton
How do cottage food operations rules compare between Madison, WI and Middleton, WI?
Madison and Middleton have similar restriction levels.
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 →Middleton, 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 Middleton rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Madison | Middleton |
|---|---|---|
| State Law | WI Act 62 and 97.29 | - |
| Baked Goods | No sales cap | Unlimited per 2017 court ruling |
| Canned Goods | 5,000 dollar cap | - |
| Licensing | None required | - |
| Labeling | Required disclosure | Full ingredient and allergen |
| Pickle Bill Cap | - | $5,000/yr Wis. Stat. §97.29 |
| Meat/Dairy | - | Requires DATCP license |
| Sales Channels | - | Direct-to-consumer only |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
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.
Middleton 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.
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