Sell Homemade Food in Vermont — A Friendly 2026 Guide
Everything you need to start your home food business in Vermont — 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.
$125,000/year (license tier); under ~$6,500/year ($125/week) is fully exempt
Revenue Limit
Annual limit under cottage food law
Allowed
Online Sales
Sell through your own website
Yes
Permit Required
Home Bakery License (required if sales exceed $125/week); Cottage Food Operator Registration (annual, free) for sales under $30,000/year — $100
moderately regulated
Regulation Level
Vermont is considered moderately regulated for home food
You've Got This — Here's How to Start
Selling food from home in Vermont is easier than it sounds. Just follow these steps in order.
Read your state's rules (5 min)
Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets explains everything you need to know about the Vermont Home Bakery Rules; Cottage Food Operator framework (annual registration starting Oct 2025).
Get your food handler card (online, ~$15)
Vermont requires a food handler certification. Most people finish the online course in under two hours.
Apply for your home bakery license (required if sales exceed $125/week); cottage food operator registration (annual, free) for sales under $30,000/year ($100)
Send your application to Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. 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 Vermont 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 Vermont
baked goods
candy
jams
jellies
honey
maple syrup
popcorn
dried herbs
Prohibited Products
meat
dairy
canned low-acid foods
Rules can change — quickly check with Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets before you start, just to be safe.
Vermont Requirements Checklist
Here's what you need to start selling homemade food in Vermont under the Vermont Home Bakery Rules; Cottage Food Operator framework (annual registration starting Oct 2025)
Home Bakery License (required if sales exceed $125/week); Cottage Food Operator Registration (annual, free) for sales under $30,000/year Required
Cost: $100. Apply through your state agriculture department.
Food Handler Certification Required
Available through online courses — typically $10–$15.
No Kitchen Inspection Needed
Vermont 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 Vermont wants on it — copy this list.
Product name
Producer's name and address
Ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight
Net weight or volume
Allergen disclosure (federal Big-9)
Disclaimer that the product was made in a home kitchen not inspected by the state
Ingredient list — listed in order from most to least
Vermont 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 Vermont
Cookies, jams, dry mixes — these ship great from Vermont. Here's what works.
Shelf-stable products that ship well
baked goods
candy
jams
honey
maple syrup
popcorn
dried herbs
Ship within Vermont only
Vermont allows online sales and shipping to customers within Vermont. Out-of-state shipping is not authorized under the home bakery / cottage food framework and requires federal-level licensing.
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 Vermont
Direct Sales (from home)
Allowed in Vermont
Online Sales (website)
Allowed in Vermont
Farmers Markets
Allowed in Vermont
Wholesale to Stores
Not permitted under Vermont cottage food law
Home Food Business Types in Vermont
Start any of these home food businesses under the Vermont Home Bakery Rules; Cottage Food Operator framework (annual registration starting Oct 2025)
Start Your Vermont Home Food Business — $4.99/month
Professional website, online ordering, payments, shipping, customer directory, and analytics — everything you need to comply with the Vermont Home Bakery Rules; Cottage Food Operator framework (annual registration starting Oct 2025) and grow your business.
Explore Cottage Food Laws in Other States
Moving or expanding beyond Vermont? 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.