Saint Paul, MN Home Business: Cottage Food Operations (2026)
Key Facts
- Annual Gross Sales
- Annual gross sales cap of 78,000 dollars under MN Stat. 28A
- Mda Registration Required
- MDA registration required; 50-dollar fee if sales exceed 7,665 dollars
- Only Nonpotentially Hazardous
- Only non-potentially hazardous foods allowed (no meat, dairy, or refrigerated items)
- Labels Must Include
- Labels must include producer name, ingredients, allergens, and homemade disclaimer
- Direct Consumer Sales
- Direct consumer sales only -- no wholesale, retail stores, or mail-order shipping
Summary
Minnesota Stat. 28A allows Saint Paul residents to sell homemade non-hazardous foods directly to consumers, capped at 78,000 dollars annually. MDA registration required.
Can I sell my cottage food from my own store or a friend's store? No, cottage foods cannot be sold from a retail location or store, even if you are present or have set up a separate table (e.g., a "pop up"). The only exception is if a farmers' market or community event is taking place at the retail location. The event must meet the definition of farmers' market or community event. How can I sell my cottage foods in stores? Manufacturing food to sell to other businesses for resale (wholesaling) requires a food license. A food license requires that food is made and stored in approved facilities; not a home kitchen. [...] Is selling from an unattended stand at my home allowed? Cottage foods can be sold from a stand at your home property if your local zoning authority allows it (some do not allow it in a residential area). If the stand will be unattended, it is advised to consider the potential risks and how you might prevent those from happening to ensure you are selling a safe, unadulterated food to the public, as required by law. Consider protection of the food from pests, weather, dust, contamination/tampering from people, and how you will handle payment. All labeling and signage requirements still apply. [...] What happens if the MDA receives a complaint about a cottage food producer? The MDA investigates complaints to ensure people selling cottage food are complying with the law, including all the topics covered in this guidance document: registration, training, sales amounts, sales locations, food types, labeling, and placarding. Actions depend on the severity of the violation and may include inspection, written notice, penalties, or prosecution.
Full Breakdown
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. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a city license to sell baked goods from my home in Saint Paul?
Can I sell cottage food at the Saint Paul Farmers Market?
Can I sell homemade tamales or cheese under the cottage food law?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Saint Paul
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