How to Start a Class A Cottage Food Business in Michigan

Michigan's cottage food law is remarkably friendly to home-based food entrepreneurs. Unlike many states that cap earnings or restrict sales channels, Michigan's Class A designation lets you sell homemade food products with no sales limit and even allows online sales across the state.

But "friendly" doesn't mean "simple." There are still specific steps you need to follow to operate legally and protect your customers. Skip any of these, and you could face fines or be forced to shut down.

Who This Guide Is For

This article walks you through the complete process of starting a Class A cottage food business in Michigan. You'll learn exactly what products you can make, how to register your business, where you can sell, and what labeling requirements you must follow.

Whether you're a baker dreaming of turning your sourdough hobby into income, or a jam-maker ready to scale beyond farmers markets, this guide covers the legal framework and practical steps to get started right.

What Qualifies as Class A Cottage Food in Michigan

Michigan divides cottage foods into Class A and Class B categories. Class A products are considered lower risk and have fewer restrictions, making them the natural starting point for most home food businesses.

Class A cottage foods include:

• Baked goods like bread, cookies, cakes, and pastries
• Fruit jams, jellies, and preserves
• Dried herbs and herb blends
• Granola and trail mix
• Honey and maple syrup
• Pickled vegetables with high acid content
• Dried fruits and vegetables
• Candy and confections

What you cannot make:

• Fresh or frozen meat products
• Dairy products like cheese or yogurt
• Low-acid canned goods
• Fresh produce or salads
• Beverages (except for some teas)
• Pet treats or food

The key distinction is risk level. Class A foods are shelf-stable and have natural preservation methods that prevent dangerous bacterial growth when made properly.

Step 1: Complete Food Safety Training

Before you can legally sell cottage food in Michigan, you must complete an approved food safety training course. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) accepts several options:

ServSafe Food Handler Certification is the most popular choice. The online course costs around $15 and takes 2-3 hours to complete. You'll learn about foodborne illness prevention, proper hygiene, and safe food handling practices.

Other accepted programs include:

• National Registry of Food Safety Professionals
• Learn2Serve Food Handler Training
• 360training Food Handler Course

Keep your certificate handy — you'll need the completion date and certificate number for your registration.

Step 2: Register Your Cottage Food Business

Michigan requires all Class A cottage food operations to register with MDARD before selling any products. The registration is free, but you must renew it every three years.

To register online:

1. Visit the MDARD website and find the cottage food registration portal

2. Create an account using your email address

3. Fill out the application with your business details

4. Upload your food safety training certificate

5. List the specific products you plan to make and sell

6. Submit the application

You'll receive a registration number that you must include on all your product labels. The process typically takes 5-10 business days for approval.

Important: You can only sell the products listed on your registration. If you want to add new items later, you'll need to update your registration.

Step 3: Set Up Your Home Kitchen

Your home kitchen becomes your commercial food production space, which means it needs to meet certain standards. While Michigan doesn't require kitchen inspections for Class A operations, you're responsible for maintaining safe conditions.

Kitchen requirements include:

• Clean, sanitized surfaces and equipment
• Proper food storage to prevent contamination
• Adequate handwashing facilities
• No pets in the kitchen during food preparation
• Separate storage for cottage food ingredients and finished products

Consider investing in commercial-grade storage containers and establishing dedicated prep areas if possible. Many successful cottage food producers designate specific shelves or cabinets exclusively for their business ingredients and packaging materials.

Step 4: Perfect Your Recipes and Document Everything

Consistency is crucial for food safety and customer satisfaction. Before you start selling, standardize your recipes with exact measurements, cooking times, and temperatures.

Create detailed recipe cards that include:

• Ingredient lists with specific brands when relevant
• Step-by-step preparation instructions
• Cooking temperatures and times
• Yield information (how many units each batch produces)
• Storage and shelf-life guidelines

Keep detailed records of every batch you make. If there's ever a food safety issue, these records will help you identify the source and demonstrate your commitment to safe practices.

Step 5: Design Compliant Labels

Michigan has specific labeling requirements for cottage food products. Every item you sell must include certain information in a readable format.

Required label elements:

• Product name
• Ingredient list in descending order by weight
• Your name and home address
• "Made in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development"
• Your cottage food registration number
• Net weight or volume

Example label:

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Maple Walnut Cookies