Indiana Cottage Food Law

HEA 1424 (2026) created a second track that runs alongside the Home Based Vendor law. A homestead vendor prepares and sells food or meat products from their property (an owned or leased primary residence or agricultural property) or at a farmers market, with no more than $1,500,000 in gross food and meat sales a year; a small farm has the same $1,500,000 threshold. Items primarily derived from the property may be sold: meat products raised on the property and slaughtered, processed, and labeled under IC 15-17-5 (kept refrigerated), prepared foods including baked goods, candy, produce, natural sweeteners, and fruit spreads. State and local bodies may not impose rules, certifications, or licensing beyond federal law, except to investigate foodborne-illness complaints. Shipping or delivery is allowed only within Indiana, in a sealed package, and only with an ANSI-accredited food handler certificate. The label (packaged) or sign (unpackaged) must show the name, address, ingredients in descending order by predominance by weight, a description of the product, a description of allergens that might have come in contact with it, and, in at least 10-point type: "This product was produced by a homestead vendor or the owner of a small farm that is exempt from government licensing and inspection."

Every Home Based Vendor must hold a food handler certificate from an issuer accredited by the American National Standards Institute (IC 16-42-5.3-7) and give a copy to the local health department in the county where they live. ServSafe food handler certification is valid for three years (Purdue).

The Home Based Vendor tier covers non-TCS foods sold directly to consumers inside Indiana. Wholesaling, selling acidified or TCS foods, or shipping out of state requires a licensed food establishment — or, for producers who sell from their own property or at farmers markets, the homestead vendor / small farm track.

Does Indiana have a cottage food law?

Yes — two, in fact. The Home Based Vendor law (IC 16-42-5.3, rewritten by HEA 1149 effective July 1, 2022) covers non-TCS foods made at a primary residence and sold directly to consumers in Indiana. Since July 1, 2026, HEA 1424 added a homestead vendor and small farm track (IC 16-42-5.4) for producers who sell food or meat products from their property or at farmers markets. The Indiana Department of Health publishes guidance for both.

Is there a sales cap for Indiana home based vendors?

No. The Home Based Vendor law has no revenue cap. The homestead vendor and small farm track is defined by a $1,500,000 annual gross sales threshold.

Do I need a license, registration, or inspection to be a Home Based Vendor in Indiana?

No license, registration, fee, or routine inspection. You do need an ANSI-accredited food handler certificate, and you must give a copy to the local health department in your county. Local governments cannot require licensure, certification, or inspection, but local health officers enforce the law and may inspect after a complaint.

What foods can a Home Based Vendor sell in Indiana?

Only foods that do not require time or temperature control for safety: baked goods, cakes without cream or custard fillings, candy, tree nuts and legumes, honey and maple syrup, cultivated mushrooms that are not processed past a field cut, and full-sugar jams and jellies made from high-acid fruit. IDOH does not allow homemade buttercream — icing must be commercially prepared and shelf-stable or made from a lab-tested recipe. Acidified foods, fermented foods, low-acid canned foods, meat, and dairy are excluded. The homestead vendor and small farm track allows meat and prepared foods sold from the producer's property or at farmers markets.

Can I sell Indiana home based vendor food online and ship it?

Yes, within Indiana. Home Based Vendors may sell in person, by phone, or online, and deliver in person, by mail, or by a third-party carrier to consumers in Indiana. Shipped products must be in a sealed, tamper-evident package, and you must keep each shipping or delivery address for at least one year. You must also post each product's label on your website. Shipping out of state is not allowed.

Can Indiana home based vendors sell wholesale to stores or restaurants?

No. Home Based Vendor food is sold directly to the end consumer and labeled "NOT FOR RESALE," so wholesaling to stores or restaurants is not allowed.

What has to go on an Indiana Home Based Vendor label?

IC 16-42-5.3-5 requires the vendor's name and address, the common name of the product, ingredients in descending order by weight, net weight or volume, the date the product was processed, and, in at least 10-point type: "This product is home produced and processed and the production area has not been inspected by the Indiana Department of Health. NOT FOR RESALE." You must also post each label on your website. Homestead vendors and small farms use a different statement: "This product was produced by a homestead vendor or the owner of a small farm that is exempt from government licensing and inspection."