Minnesota State Senator Bill Lieske (R-Lonsdale) announced that his cottage food reform bill was approved by the Senate as part of the body’s Agriculture budget proposal (HF2446).

“This is a big win for the thousands of Minnesotans who sell home-baked goods and other homemade treats at local farmers markets, community events, and right from their own kitchens,” Sen. Lieske said. “It’s about giving people more freedom to grow their side hustle or family venture without jumping through unnecessary hoops. And it still protects consumers with clear labeling, safety training, and transparency.”

Sen. Lieske’s bill updates Minnesota’s cottage food laws, which allow people to sell homemade, non-hazardous foods without needing a commercial kitchen license. The new reforms make it easier for families, hobbyists, and part-time producers to turn their passion into a small business.

Key changes include:

• Lower costs for small producers: The annual registration fee drops from $50 to $30, making it more affordable to get started.
• Clearer eligibility rules: Cottage food producers can now be individuals, sole proprietors, or even small two-person LLCs—so long as both owners live in the same household.
• Expanded delivery options: Producers can now deliver by mail or commercial services in addition to hand delivery.
• Better food safety standards: Registered producers will complete a food safety training course every three years, instead of annually.
• Keeping up with inflation: The current $78,000 annual sales cap will now adjust every two years to keep pace with inflation.

Sen. Lieske thanked Senator Putnam, the Agriculture Committee chair, for including the cottage foods proposal in the larger bill. But he also made clear his concerns with the remainder of the agriculture budget proposal.

“I’m grateful my cottage foods bill was included, and I thank Senator Putnam for working with me on that piece,” Sen. Lieske said. “But unfortunately I couldn’t vote for the full bill. It adds too many new fees and regulations that will make life harder for farmers, small food producers, and co-ops. I hope the final version that comes back from conference does a better job of keeping costs down and helping rural Minnesota thrive. If it does, I look forward to supporting it.”

The bill now heads to a conference committee, where House and Senate lawmakers will negotiate a final version before it returns to each chamber for a final vote.