Vermont Cottage Food Law 2026
Last reviewed:
No License Needed
Limit: $30,000 / Year
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
CottageFoodLicense.com is an informational platform, not a law firm. The information provided by our AI Checker, templates, and guides does not constitute legal advice. Cottage food laws change frequently. You must verify all information with your local health department before selling products.
Allowed
- ✓Baked goods (non-TCS)
- ✓Breads
- ✓Cookies
- ✓Candy
- ✓Chocolate
- ✓Jams/Jellies
- ✓Fruit butters (high-acid)
- ✓Granola
- ✓Popcorn
- ✓Dried herbs
- ✓Honey
- ✓Maple syrup
- ✓Home-canned pickles/fruits (pH ≤ 4.6 or aw ≤ 0.85, approved recipe)
Prohibited
- ✕Meat
- ✕Poultry
- ✕Seafood
- ✕Dairy products
- ✕Refrigerated baked goods (cheesecake, cream pies, quiche)
- ✕Custard/cream fillings
- ✕Low-acid canned foods
- ✕Fresh juices
- ✕Fresh-cut produce
- ✕Any TCS / time-temperature-control food
Labeling Protocols
01Product name
02Producer name and address
03Ingredients (descending order by weight)
04Major allergens (FALCPA)
05Disclaimer (≥10-pt, contrasting color): 'Made in a home kitchen not inspected by the Vermont Department of Health.'
FAQs
Is the income limit really $125 per week?
No — that figure is obsolete. Vermont Act 42 of 2025 (effective July 1, 2025) replaced the old $125/week home-bakery threshold with a unified $30,000/year cap for shelf-stable cottage foods (or $10,000/year for non-cottage home-processed foods). Above $30,000, you need a $100/yr Home Bakery or Food Processor license from the Vermont Department of Health.
Do I need to register?
Yes. Even under the exemption, you must complete the free Vermont Department of Health online training and file a license-exemption form annually by January 15 through the Department of Health online portal.
Can I ship out of state?
No. Sales under the cottage food / home processor exemption must be direct-to-consumer and delivered within Vermont. Online ordering with mail-order delivery inside Vermont is allowed; interstate shipping and third-party marketplaces (Etsy, Amazon) are not.
Are wholesale sales allowed?
Not under the exemption — exemption sales must be direct-to-consumer. Wholesale to restaurants or retail stores requires the $100/yr Home Bakery / Food Processor license and a Health Department inspection.
What disclaimer goes on my label?
Exact wording, ≥10-point type, contrasting color: 'Made in a home kitchen not inspected by the Vermont Department of Health.'
What Comes Next
After You Verify Compliance: Your Next 4 Steps
Some links below are affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no cost to you. We only recommend services we'd suggest to a friend. Full disclosure.
- 01
Liability Shield
Form an LLC
Separating your personal finances from your cottage food business protects your home and savings if a customer ever brings a claim. Both providers below file in all 50 states and handle registered agent service for Vermont.
- 02
Protect Your Kitchen
Get Product Liability Insurance
A single allergy incident or contamination claim can erase years of profit. FLIP (Food Liability Insurance Program) is built specifically for cottage food operators — flat-rate annual policies with farmers market and online sales coverage included.
- 03
Required in Vermont
Complete Food Safety Training
Vermont requires a recognized food safety certification before you can sell. Learn2Serve offers an ANSI-accredited course you can complete online in a few hours.
- 04
Production Ready
Set Up Your Kitchen and Labels
The right thermometers, storage containers, scale, and label printer turn a home kitchen into a compliant production space. Our Week 11 equipment guide walks through what we use and the Vermont-specific labeling fields you'll need.
Official Sources
Verify current requirements directly with the state:
At a Glance
Permit Fee
$0
No fee under either exemption tier. $100/yr license required above the cap or for wholesale/retail/restaurant sales. Annual exemption filing + free online food-safety training required for all exemption holders.
Renewal
Annual exemption filing by January 15 + free online training
Shipping