Saint Paul, MN Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)

Under Minnesota Statute 28A, cottage food producers in Saint Paul may prepare and sell certain non-potentially hazardous foods from their home kitchen without a commercial food license. The annual gross sales cap is 78,000 dollars. Registration with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture is required before selling, and producers must complete a training course and pass an exam. If annual sales exceed 7,665 dollars, a 50-dollar registration fee applies; below that threshold, registration is free. Registration expires annually on March 31 and must be renewed. Permitted foods include baked goods (bread, cookies, cakes without cream fillings), dried foods, jams and jellies with pH of 4.6 or below, candy, granola, popcorn, and certain dehydrated pet treats. Prohibited items include meat, dairy products, chocolate-covered fruit, tamales, and any food requiring refrigeration for safety. All products must carry labels with the producer name or business name, registration number or address, production date, complete ingredient list with major allergen declarations, and the statement: These products are homemade and not subject to state inspection. Sales must be direct to consumers through the producer home, farmers markets, community events, or personal delivery. Wholesale, retail store placement, and mail-order shipping of human foods are not allowed. In addition to state registration, Saint Paul cottage food producers operating from a residential dwelling must comply with the city home occupation zoning standards, including the Home Occupation Affidavit requirement and the prohibition on commercial food service requiring a separate license. Cottage food operations that remain within the MDA registration framework are generally not considered commercial food service for zoning purposes.