Vermont Cottage Food Laws

Vermont requires a Department of Health license to run a food manufacturing establishment under 18 V.S.A. 4351, but Act 42 (2025) and the department's Manufactured Food Rule exempt small cottage food operators. A cottage food operator who makes foods that do not need refrigeration or time or temperature control in a home kitchen, or a kitchen on their own property, and has gross annual sales of $30,000 or less needs no license or fee. Exempt operators must complete training every year, file an exemption with the Vermont Department of Health, or VDH, by Jan. 15 each year and label every product. The rules do not address online or mail sales. This guide covers what you can sell, how you can sell, labeling and when you need a license instead.

Disclaimer: This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change, and local zoning, HOA and tax rules vary. Confirm current requirements with the Vermont Department of Health Food and Lodging Program, or with an attorney, before you start selling.

Quick facts

• Cottage food operators with gross annual sales of $30,000 or less from cottage food products are exempt from licensing. Manufactured Food Rule 6.1.1.2
• File a license exemption with VDH each year by Jan. 15. Manufactured Food Rule 6.1; VDH Food Manufacturing Licensing Exemptions guide
• Complete VDH-approved training before you start and every year after. Manufactured Food Rule 6.2.2.1
• Label every product for sale, including "Made in a home kitchen not inspected by the Vermont Department of Health." Manufactured Food Rule 6.2.1.1
• VDH says restaurants and other food service establishments may buy only from licensed manufacturers. VDH Food Manufacturing Licensing Exemptions guide

What the law calls it

• Vermont uses "cottage food operator," "cottage food operation," "cottage food product" and "license exemption." Manufactured Food Rule 4.1.4 to 4.1.6, 4.1.13

Foods you can sell

• Food that does not need refrigeration or time or temperature control, such as nonpotentially hazardous baked goods, candy, jams and jellies, dry herbs, trail mix, granola, cereal, mixed nuts, flavored vinegar, popcorn, coffee beans and dry tea. Manufactured Food Rule 4.1.6
• Home-canned pickles, vegetables or fruits with a pH of 4.6 or lower or a water activity of 0.85 or less, made with National Center for Home Food Preservation recipes or reviewed by a food processing authority. Manufactured Food Rule 4.1.6.13; VDH Food Manufacturing Licensing Exemptions guide
• If you are unsure, you may ask VDH to review a product with its Cottage Food Product Review Request Form. Manufactured Food Rule 6.1.2; VDH Food Manufacturing Licensing Exemptions guide

Foods you cannot sell

• Foods that need refrigeration or time or temperature control. VDH's examples include quiche, cheese danish and cheesecake. Manufactured Food Rule 4.1.6; VDH Food Manufacturing Licensing Exemptions guide

Sales limit

• $30,000 in gross annual sales from cottage food products. Above that, apply for a VDH food manufacturing license. Manufactured Food Rule 6.1.1.2; VDH Food Manufacturing Licensing Exemptions guide
• A separate exemption covers other small food manufacturers with gross annual sales of $10,000 or less. Manufactured Food Rule 6.1.1.1

Filing, fees and training

• No license or fee for exempt operators. VDH Food Manufacturing Licensing Exemptions guide
• File the exemption in VDH's online portal by Jan. 15 each year, attesting to your training. Manufactured Food Rule 6.1; VDH Food Manufacturing Licensing Exemptions guide
• Take VDH's License Exempt Food Processors and Cottage Food Operators online training before you start and each year after. Manufactured Food Rule 6.2.2.1; VDH Food Manufacturing Licensing Exemptions guide

Where and how you can sell

• The rule does not list sales venues. Manufactured Food Rule 6.0
• Online and mail: the rule and VDH guidance do not address online or mail sales. Ask VDH. VDH Food Manufacturing Licensing Exemptions guide
• Shipping to other states: not addressed. Ask VDH, and check federal rules and the destination state's rules. VDH Food Manufacturing Licensing Exemptions guide
• Restaurants: VDH says food service establishments, like restaurants, may only buy from licensed food manufacturers. VDH Food Manufacturing Licensing Exemptions guide
• Events: VDH says making food at home to serve later at a special event or farmers market requires a Home Caterer License and may require a temporary food service license. VDH Food Manufacturing Licensing Exemptions guide

Labeling rules

• Labels must show the name and address of the operation; the product name; ingredients in descending order by weight; net weight or volume; allergens; nutrition labeling if you make a claim; and "Made in a home kitchen not inspected by the Vermont Department of Health" in at least 10-point type in a contrasting color. Manufactured Food Rule 6.2.1.1
• VDH says to use the physical address of your home kitchen, not a post office box. VDH Food Manufacturing Licensing Exemptions guide

Zoning, HOAs and local rules

• The state exemption does not address zoning. Check with your town.
• Check your HOA documents, since the state does not review private covenants.

Inspections

• Exempt operators must still follow the Manufactured Food Rule's food safety and sanitation rules. A public health inspector may inspect to check compliance or investigate hazards. Manufactured Food Rule 6.2; VDH Food Manufacturing Licensing Exemptions guide

When you need a license instead

• Sales above $30,000, foods that need refrigeration and sales to restaurants require a VDH food manufacturing license. VDH Food Manufacturing Licensing Exemptions guide

Timeline

• June 2, 2025: the governor signed Act 42 (2025), which changed the requirements for small food processor exemptions. It took effect July 1, 2025. Act 42 (2025)
• July 1, 2025: VDH adopted the Manufactured Food Emergency Rule to align with Act 42. VDH Food Manufacturing Licensing Exemptions guide
• Jan. 15, 2026: the final Manufactured Food Rule took effect. Manufactured Food Rule 4.1
• Oct. 13, 2026: this page was last reviewed against the Manufactured Food Rule and VDH guidance.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a license to sell cottage food in Vermont?

Not if your gross annual sales of cottage food are $30,000 or less and you file a yearly exemption. Source: Manufactured Food Rule 6.1.

What is Vermont's cottage food sales limit?

$30,000 in gross annual sales from cottage food products. Source: Manufactured Food Rule 6.1.1.2.

When is the Vermont cottage food exemption due?

Each year by Jan. 15. Source: VDH Food Manufacturing Licensing Exemptions guide.

Do I need training to sell cottage food in Vermont?

Yes, before you start and every year after. Source: Manufactured Food Rule 6.2.2.1.

Can I sell cottage food to restaurants in Vermont?

No. VDH says restaurants may only buy from licensed food manufacturers. Source: VDH Food Manufacturing Licensing Exemptions guide.

Can I sell pickles under Vermont's cottage food exemption?

Yes, if they meet the pH or water activity limits and use an approved recipe or a process review. Source: Manufactured Food Rule 4.1.6.13.

Can I sell cottage food online in Vermont?

The rule and VDH guidance do not address online sales. Ask VDH. Source: VDH Food Manufacturing Licensing Exemptions guide.

Can I sell cheesecake under Vermont's cottage food exemption?

No. VDH says cheesecake needs refrigeration and does not qualify. Source: VDH Food Manufacturing Licensing Exemptions guide.

What must a Vermont cottage food label say?

"Made in a home kitchen not inspected by the Vermont Department of Health," in at least 10-point type, plus name, address, ingredients, net weight and allergens. Source: Manufactured Food Rule 6.2.1.1.

Official sources

• VDH: Manufactured Food Rule (PDF)
• VDH: Food Manufacturing Licensing Exemptions (PDF)
• VDH: Home-Based Food Licenses and Exemptions
• Vermont Legislature: Act 42 (2025), as enacted (PDF)

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change, and local zoning, HOA and tax rules vary. Confirm current requirements with the Vermont Department of Health Food and Lodging Program, or with an attorney, before you start selling.