Home and Hearth BakerCottage food operation (license-exempt)
18 V.S.A. 4301 (cottage food definitions), 4303(a)(7), 4353(a)(3)(C), 4358(b)-(c); Vermont Department of Health Manufactured Food Rule (Chapter 5, Subchapter 1) Sections 4.1.4-4.1.6, 6.1-6.2.2 · Act 42 of 2025 (H.401), signed 2025-06-02, effective 2025-07-01; Manufactured Food Emergency Rules 25-E01 and 25-E02; permanent Manufactured Food Rule (25P033) effective 2026-01-15
Yearly sales limit
$30,000
Gross annual sales of $30,000 or less from the sale of cottage food products (18 V.S.A. 4353(a)(3)(C); Rule 6.1.1.2). Above that, a license is needed. Health Dept: a baker may also make up to $10,000 of other (non-bakery) processed foods under the separate food processor exemption (Rule 6.1.1.1). Not inflation-adjusted.
Gross annual sales of $30,000 or less from the sale of cottage food products (18 V.S.A. 4353(a)(3)(C); Rule 6.1.1.2). Above that, a license is needed. Health Dept: a baker may also make up to $10,000 of other (non-bakery) processed foods under the separate food processor exemption (Rule 6.1.1.1). Not inflation-adjusted.
Permit or registration
Yes
Annual licensing exemption filing (not a license)
Vermont Department of Health, Food & Lodging Program
Fee: No fee stated; exempt operators pay no license fee (Health Dept)
Official page
Annual licensing exemption filing (not a license)
Vermont Department of Health, Food & Lodging Program
Fee: No fee stated; exempt operators pay no license fee (Health Dept)
Official page
Food safety training
Yes
Health Dept 'License Exempt Food Processors and Cottage Food Operators Online Training' (free), before starting and every year after (Rule 6.2.2.1)
Health Dept 'License Exempt Food Processors and Cottage Food Operators Online Training' (free), before starting and every year after (Rule 6.2.2.1)
Where you make it
Solely in the home kitchen of the operator's private residential dwelling, or a kitchen on the operator's personal property (18 V.S.A. 4301; Rule 4.1.5). A rented kitchen, even a licensed commercial kitchen, does not qualify (Health Dept). Keep pets out of the prep area; keep sale food apart from personal and pet food; private well water is tested only for licensed operations (Health Dept)
Selling in person
Allowed; statute and rule set no limits on place (farm stands, farmers markets, events). Not addressed in detail
Phone and online orders
Not addressed by the statute, the Manufactured Food Rule, or Health Dept guidance (rechecked 2026-10-26)
Delivery and shipping
Not addressed by the statute, rule, or Health Dept guidance; the training covers only keeping food in clean, dry, covered containers during transport
Selling out of state
Health Dept: food crossing state lines is interstate commerce subject to federal rules, and the other state's laws may apply; outside this app
Stores and wholesale
Not to restaurants or other licensed food establishments (Health Dept). Whether retail stores count as licensed food establishments is not stated
Examples you can sell
Food that does not require refrigeration or time or temperature control for safety (18 V.S.A. 4301; Rule 4.1.6). Other products may be sent to the Health Dept for a determination (Rule 6.1.2)
- Nonpotentially hazardous baked goods (bakery products that can be stored at room temperature, Rule 4.1.15)
- Candy
- Jams and jellies
- Dry herbs
- Trail mix
- Granola
- Cereal
- Mixed nuts
- Flavored vinegar
- Popcorn
Not allowed
- Foods that need refrigeration or time/temperature control for safety (TCS), e.g. meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, cooked plant foods, tofu, raw sprouts, untreated garlic-in-oil (Health Dept)
- Refrigerated bakery items such as quiche, cheese danish, and cheesecake (Health Dept)
- Dehydrated meats (Health Dept)
- Dehydrated fruits and vegetables (Health Dept)
- Prepared meals sold direct to customers (need a Home Caterer License)
- Products containing THC (Rule 5.4.1 for licensed processors; not stated for exempt operations)
The statement your labels must carry
Made in a home kitchen not inspected by the Vermont Department of Health.
In type at least 10 point.