Wisconsin lets home producers sell non-hazardous baked goods directly to consumers without a license (the 2017 Kivirist ruling), and sell home-canned high-acid pickles and preserves under the 'pickle bill' up to $5,000 a year at farmers' markets and community events.
Cottage food in Rock County follows Wisconsin state law administered by DATCP, not a county ordinance. Under the 2017 Lafayette County court ruling, home bakers may sell baked goods that are not potentially hazardous directly to consumers without a DATCP license; wholesale still requires licensing. Separately, the 'pickle bill' (Wis. Stat. 97.29) lets a person sell home-canned pickles or acidified/fermented fruits and vegetables with a pH of 4.6 or lower without a license, but only at community or social events, flea markets, or farmers' markets in Wisconsin, and only up to $5,000 per year. Labels must state the food was made in an uninspected private home and list ingredients and allergens.
Selling outside these exemptions (wholesale, online, out of state, or non-qualifying foods) without a retail food license is a DATCP violation and can require ceasing sales and obtaining licensure.
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Rock County, WI
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See how Rock County's cottage food operations rules stack up against other locations.
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