Vermont · Cottage Food Operator Exemption

Vermont cottage food label requirements and checklist

Answer a few plain-English questions about what you make and how you want to sell it. We check it against Vermont's current cottage food operator exemption after Act 42, flag the choices that push you into a licensed path, and build you a personalized checklist plus a printable label draft.

Free permit walk-through Free label generation Free checklist
Free customized label/checklist after walk-through completion

Built from current Vermont Department of Health guidance and Act 42. Not legal advice and not state approval — verify final requirements with the Vermont Department of Health before selling.

  • Free permit walk-throughSee fast whether you still fit Vermont's current cottage food operator exemption.
  • Free checklistKeep the $30,000 cap, annual training, and January 15 filing step tied to your own answers.
  • Free label generationDraft Vermont's exact home-kitchen statement plus your operation and ingredient lines in one place.

Can you sell cottage food in Vermont?

Usually yes, if the product is lower-risk and shelf-stable. Vermont's current cottage food operator exemption covers foods that do not require refrigeration or time/temperature control for safety, keeps a $30,000 gross-receipts cap, and now adds annual training plus an annual exemption filing. The cleanest blockers are refrigerated foods, rented kitchens, and sales to restaurants or other licensed food establishments.

Vermont label requirements

  • Operation name and address
  • Food product name
  • Ingredients in descending order by weight
  • Net weight or net volume
  • Allergen information required by federal law
  • Exact statement: Made in a home kitchen not inspected by the Vermont Department of Health.

Common Vermont blockers

  • Gross receipts above $30,000
  • Skipping the annual training or January 15 exemption filing
  • Refrigerated or other TCS foods
  • Using a rented kitchen
  • Selling to restaurants or other licensed food establishments