Indiana's Cottage Food Law

Indiana's Home Based Vendor law allows individuals to produce and sell certain low-risk foods made in a residential kitchen. You don't need a licensed commercial facility to qualify. The law covers non-potentially hazardous foods, meaning items that don't require refrigeration to stay safe. Baked goods, candies, jams, and similar shelf-stable products fall squarely within what's permitted under this framework.

You can sell your products directly to consumers through farmers markets, roadside stands, fairs, and similar in-person venues. Indiana also allows online orders, so you can take sales through a website or social media. However, shipping is not permitted, meaning every transaction must result in a direct, in-person handoff. You cannot mail products to customers or use a carrier to fulfill orders.

Your annual gross revenue cannot exceed $50,000 under Indiana's Home Based Vendor law. No permit, license, or registration is required before you start selling. One notable advantage is that online ordering is permitted while many other states still restrict sales to in-person transactions only. As Indiana's cottage food community continues to grow, getting your business established now puts you in a strong position.