Why this matters
What Vermont actually allows — and what it doesn't.
Vermont's cottage food program operates under 18 V.S.A. §§4301, 4353, 4358 (exemptions), with major expansion via Act 42 (H.401) effective July 1, 2025.
Act 42 Changes (July 1, 2025):
Revenue cap tripled: From $10,000 to $30,000 gross annual sales
Unified cap: Previously separate $10K cottage food + $10K other processed foods; now single $30K cap for cottage food operations
Annual revenue cap
$30,000 a year.
Annual gross cap
$30,000
Required label language
Every package carries a statutory disclaimer.
The disclaimer below must appear on every package, in the exact casing the statute specifies:
Required on every label
Made in a home kitchen not inspected by the Vermont Department of Health
— 18 V.S.A. §4301 (definitions); 18 V.S.A. §4353 (licensing); 18 V.S.A. §4358 (exemptions); Act 42 (H.401, effective July 1, 2025)
Sales channels
Where you can sell in Vermont — and where you can't.
Online ordering
YesYesShipping
YesYesSeller delivery
YesYesThird-party delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats)
ConditionalConditionalInterstate sales
NoNoWholesale to retail stores
NoNoRegistration & permits
Vermont requires registration before you sell.
- Registration
Required
Type: cottage food registry
- Labeling standard
Standard
- Inspection
None
- Food safety certification
Required
Type: state specific
- Address privacy
Not available
Food categories
What usually sits outside this cottage food lane.
- Tcs
- Meat
- Poultry
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Eggs
- Dairy
- Cut Produce
- Cooked Rice Beans Vegetables
- Low Acid Canned Goods
How to start
Steps to a legal first sale in Vermont.
Confirm your products qualify
Compare your menu against Vermont's cottage food lane. Temperature-controlled, meat, seafood, and low-acid canned items often require a different path; check the state-specific food categories above.
Register with your state agency
Vermont requires cottage food operators to register before selling. Registration is free.
Vermont registration portalComplete food safety certification
Vermont requires food safety training before you can sell cottage food. Type: state specific.
Label every product correctly
Every label must include your name (or registered ID), product name, ingredients, allergens, and the statute-required disclaimer verbatim.
Start taking orders
Vermont allows online orders, in-state shipping, seller delivery. Route orders through your own channels.
Frequently asked
Vermont cottage food — your questions answered.
What changed under Act 42 in Vermont on July 1, 2025?
Big expansion. The revenue cap tripled from $10,000 to $30,000 gross annual. The old $125/week limit was eliminated, replaced with the annual $30K cap. Previously separate $10K cottage food and $10K other processed foods caps were unified into a single $30K cap. Free online training became mandatory for all operators. All codified at 18 V.S.A. §§4301, 4353, 4358 exemptions.
Do I need to register to sell in Vermont?
Yes — annual exemption filing with the state is required, but it's FREE. You also need to complete the free online training.
What can I not sell?
All TCS foods — meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, eggs, dairy, cooked plant foods like rice, beans, cooked vegetables — and low-acid canned goods. Allowed: non-potentially hazardous baked goods, candy, jams and jellies, dry herbs, flavored vinegar, coffee, tea, granola, popcorn.
What happens if I exceed $30K in annual sales?
You move to the Home Bakery License ($100/year, inspection required), which lets you sell to restaurants and retailers. Vermont also has a separate Home Food Processor License for jams and jellies over $10K and a Home Caterer License for prepared meals and TCS foods — each with different requirements.
Can I sell online or ship?
Online ordering is allowed, as is mail-order delivery within Vermont. Sales venues include farmers' markets, roadside stands, special events, home delivery, online, and in-state shipping. Interstate shipping across state lines is prohibited. Your label must include: "Made in a home kitchen not inspected by the Vermont Department of Health."
Vermont cottage food laws: what is the short version?
Vermont requires cottage food registry before selling cottage food. The annual gross sales cap is $30,000. Vermont allows online orders, in-state shipping, seller delivery for cottage food sellers in the current data.
Do I need a cottage food cottage food registry in Vermont?
Yes. Vermont requires cottage food registry before selling cottage food. Check the official state source before selling because local zoning, food safety training, or label rules may still apply.
What foods can I sell from home in Vermont?
Vermont's cottage food lane is mainly for foods that do not need time or temperature control for safety. Common no-go categories include tcs, meat, poultry, fish, shellfish.