How to Start a Class A Cottage Food Business in Vermont

Vermont just made it significantly easier to start a cottage food business from home. Thanks to House Bill 401 passed in 2025, you can now earn up to $30,000 annually selling homemade foods — a massive jump from the previous limit of just $125 per week. Whether you're dreaming of selling maple cookies at farmers markets or shipping your grandmother's jam recipe across the state, Vermont's Class A cottage food registration opens doors that didn't exist before.

What You'll Learn

This guide walks you through every step of starting a Class A cottage food operation in Vermont. You'll understand exactly which foods you can make, how to register with the state, where you can sell your products, and what records you need to keep. By the end, you'll have a clear roadmap from kitchen experiments to legitimate food business.

What Makes Vermont's Cottage Food Law Special

Vermont's cottage food law is unusually business-friendly. Unlike many states that restrict sales to face-to-face transactions, Vermont allows online sales and mail order within state boundaries. This means you can build a website, process credit card payments, and ship your products to customers anywhere in Vermont.

The $30,000 annual sales cap also puts Vermont in the upper tier of cottage food states. For context, that's enough revenue to support a serious part-time business or supplement household income meaningfully.

Step 1: Confirm Your Food Products Are Allowed

Vermont's Class A cottage food law covers non-potentially hazardous foods — products that don't require refrigeration and have low risk for bacterial growth. Here's what you can and cannot make:

Allowed foods include:

• Baked goods (breads, cookies, cakes, pastries)
• Jams, jellies, and fruit preserves
• Candy and confections
• Granola and trail mixes
• Dried fruits and vegetables
• Pickled products with proper acidity levels
• Maple syrup and maple products
• Honey and honey products

Not allowed:

• Fresh or frozen foods requiring refrigeration
• Meat products of any kind
• Dairy products (including cheese, ice cream, custards)
• Foods containing cream cheese or other dairy fillings
• Canned vegetables or low-acid foods
• Pet foods or treats

If you're unsure about a specific product, contact the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets before investing time and money in development.

Step 2: Register with Vermont Agency of Agriculture

Vermont requires a simple registration process — not a full permit or license. Here's exactly what you need to do:

Gather required documents:

• Completed cottage food registration form (available on the Agency of Agriculture website)
• Basic business information (your name, address, contact details)
• List of food products you plan to sell
• Registration fee (currently $50 annually)

Submit your registration:

Visit the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets website or call their office at (802) 828-2426. You can submit forms by mail or in person. Processing typically takes 2-3 weeks.

What you'll receive:

A registration certificate that proves your legal status as a cottage food operator. Keep this accessible — some venues require proof of registration before allowing you to sell.

Step 3: Set Up Your Home Kitchen

Your home kitchen becomes your commercial production space, but Vermont doesn't require expensive renovations or separate facilities. You do need to follow basic food safety practices:

Kitchen requirements:

• Clean, sanitary workspace
• Proper food storage (dry, pest-free areas)
• Access to potable water
• Adequate lighting and ventilation
• Separate storage for finished products

Food safety basics:

• Wash hands frequently during food preparation
• Use clean utensils and equipment
• Store ingredients at proper temperatures
• Keep pets out of food preparation areas
• Maintain detailed production records

Vermont doesn't require kitchen inspections for Class A operations, but you're responsible for maintaining safe conditions. Consider taking a basic food safety course — many are available online for under $100.

Step 4: Design Compliant Labels

Vermont requires specific labeling information on all cottage food products. Your labels must include:

Required information:

• Product name
• Ingredients list (in descending order by weight)
• Net weight or count
• Your name and address
• "Made in a home kitchen" statement
• Allergen warnings if applicable
• Date of production (recommended but not always required)

Label example:

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Maple Walnut Cookies