Selling homemade food in Wisconsin

Allowed from a home kitchen

Sourdough bread · Cookies & brownies · Fruit pie · Granola · Spice rubs & seasoning blends · Roasted coffee · Loose-leaf tea blends · Dried fruit & fruit leather · Freeze-dried candy · Chocolates & truffles · Toffee, fudge & caramels

Home kitchen, with a special license or program

Strawberry jam · Pepper jelly · Shelf-stable salsa · Hot sauce · Canned pickles · Sauerkraut & kimchi · Canned tomato sauce

Needs a commercial kitchen or other license

Pumpkin pie · Cheesecake · Cake with buttercream · Cake with cream cheese frosting · Meat tamales · Fresh salsa (refrigerated) · Garlic or herb-infused oil · Home-cooked meals^‡ · Beef jerky^‡ · Cheese & yogurt^‡ · Cold-pressed juice^‡ · Kombucha^‡

Ask the agency first

Macarons · Fruit tamales · Low-sugar or freezer jam · Marshmallows · Nut butter · Pure honey · Infused honey · Vanilla extract · Fruit-infused vinegar · Mustard (no egg)

Every product has conditions, such as registration, training, labeling, and sales limits. See the full guide for each one. ‡ General rule; not specifically addressed in this state's guidance.

How to start

1. Since a December 2022 court ruling, you can sell home-made, shelf-stable foods directly to Wisconsin consumers without a license.
2. Check that the product doesn't need refrigeration. Cream or custard fillings, buttercream, and cheesecake need a license.
3. Sell directly to consumers in Wisconsin.
4. Label all allergens clearly.

Key label items

Use the exact required wording shown in the full guide and on the agency's site.

• Shelf-stable foods: label all allergens clearly
• Canned foods: “This product was made in a private home not subject to state licensing or inspection.”
• Canned foods: canner's name and address
• Canned foods: canning date
• Canned foods: ingredients in descending order, with allergens by common name
• Canned foods: sign at the point of sale