Sell Homemade Food in Montana — A Friendly 2026 Guide
Everything you need to start your home food business in Montana — what you can sell, what permits you need, where to register, and how to ship.
New here? RestauNax helps people just like you turn home baking into a real online business — for $4.99/month.
No limit
Revenue Limit
No cap on earnings
Allowed
Online Sales
Sell through your own website
Yes
Permit Required
Cottage Food Operation Registration (one-time) — $40
very business-friendly
Regulation Level
Montana is considered very business-friendly for home food
You've Got This — Here's How to Start
Selling food from home in Montana is easier than it sounds. Just follow these steps in order.
Read your state's rules (5 min)
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) explains everything you need to know about the Montana Cottage Food Law / Montana Local Food Choice Act (MCA Title 50, Ch. 50).
Apply for your cottage food operation registration (one-time) ($40)
Send your application to Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). Most states approve within 2–4 weeks.
Print your labels
Every package needs a label with your name, ingredients, and a few other details. We list exactly what Montana requires below.
Open your online store with RestauNax
Take orders, accept payments, manage shipping, and message customers — all from one dashboard for $4.99/month.
Here's What You Get for $4.99/month
Your own online store with photos and menu
Online ordering, pickup, and local delivery
Nationwide shipping for dry goods (FedEx, USPS, UPS)
Labels, receipts, and customer messaging — all in one place
What You Can Sell in Montana
baked goods
candy
jams
jellies
honey
popcorn
dried herbs
Prohibited Products
raw milk
Rules can change — quickly check with Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) before you start, just to be safe.
Montana Requirements Checklist
Here's what you need to start selling homemade food in Montana under the Montana Cottage Food Law / Montana Local Food Choice Act (MCA Title 50, Ch. 50)
Cottage Food Operation Registration (one-time) Required
Cost: $40. Apply through your state agriculture department.
No Food Handler Cert Needed
Montana does not require a food handler certification.
No Kitchen Inspection Needed
Montana allows you to use your home kitchen without inspection.
What Goes on Your Label
Every package you sell needs a label. Here's exactly what Montana wants on it — copy this list.
Producer's full physical home address
Product name
Complete ingredient list including sub-ingredients
Common allergen disclosure
"Made in a home kitchen that is not subject to retail food establishment regulations or inspections" (verbatim per statute)
Ingredient list — listed in order from most to least
Montana requires you to list every ingredient on each package. Start with the heaviest ingredient and work your way down. Sub-ingredients (like "chocolate chips: cocoa, sugar, milkfat") go in parentheses.
Allergen disclosure — required
Clearly list any of the 9 major allergens your product contains: milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, and sesame. A simple line works: "Contains: wheat, eggs, milk."
What You Can Ship From Montana
Cookies, jams, dry mixes — these ship great from Montana. Here's what works.
Shelf-stable products that ship well
baked goods
candy
jams
honey
popcorn
dried herbs
Ship within Montana only
Montana allows direct sales and shipping within the state. Interstate shipping is not authorized under either the cottage food law or the Local Food Choice Act, so confirm with DPHHS before mailing across state lines.
What can't ship
Anything that needs refrigeration — cheesecakes, custard pies, cream-filled pastries, fresh dairy, meat — can't be shipped under cottage food rules. Stick to dry, shelf-stable items for shipping. Local pickup and delivery still work great for everything else.
Ship Your Products Nationwide
Integrated with major carriers for reliable delivery
FedEx
USPS
UPS
Flat Rate Shipping
Weight-Based Pricing
Free Shipping Thresholds
Where You Can Sell in Montana
Direct Sales (from home)
Allowed in Montana
Online Sales (website)
Allowed in Montana
Farmers Markets
Allowed in Montana
Wholesale to Stores
Not permitted under Montana cottage food law
Home Food Business Types in Montana
Start any of these home food businesses under the Montana Cottage Food Law / Montana Local Food Choice Act (MCA Title 50, Ch. 50)
Start Your Montana Home Food Business — $4.99/month
Professional website, online ordering, payments, shipping, customer directory, and analytics — everything you need to comply with the Montana Cottage Food Law / Montana Local Food Choice Act (MCA Title 50, Ch. 50) and grow your business.
Explore Cottage Food Laws in Other States
Moving or expanding beyond Montana? Compare the rules elsewhere.
About RestauNax for Home Food Businesses
RestauNax offers a $4.99/month platform for home food businesses, cottage food operators, home bakers, food influencers, and small food makers. The platform includes a professional website, online ordering, nationwide shipping (FedEx/USPS/UPS), Stripe payment processing, customer directory, multi-language support, and analytics — all with zero commission fees. RestauNax replaces expensive platforms like Castiron, Shopify, and Square Online for home food sellers at a fraction of the cost.