Montana Cottage Food Laws

Montana's food freedom law is among the broadest in the nation. The tradeoff is that everything must stay in-state and direct.

Fast facts

Permit
No permit under the Local Food Choice Act
Annual sales cap
No limit
Online sales
Limited
Shipping
Not allowed

What makes Montana different

  • The Local Food Choice Act allows a very wide range of homemade foods, including some meat and dairy
  • No permit, license, inspection or sales cap
  • Sales must be direct to an informed end consumer within Montana

Where you can sell in Montana

  • Direct to consumer
  • Farmers markets
  • Home pickup
  • Ranch/farm stands

What you can and can't make

Montana follows the standard cottage food logic: shelf-stable items are in, anything needing refrigeration is out. Check the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services product list for state-specific exceptions.

Generally allowed

  • Breads, rolls, biscuits and buns
  • Cakes, cupcakes and brownies (without cream-cheese or custard fillings)
  • Cookies, bars and biscotti
  • Fruit pies and fruit-filled pastries
  • Candy, brittle, fudge and chocolate-covered items
  • Dry mixes, granola, popcorn and roasted nuts
  • Jams, jellies and preserves made from high-acid fruit

Generally prohibited

  • Cheesecake and cream-cheese frostings or fillings
  • Custard, meringue, pudding and Bavarian-cream pies
  • Anything containing meat, poultry or seafood
  • Fresh-dairy items, ice cream and buttercream that requires refrigeration
  • Canned vegetables, salsas and other low-acid canned goods
  • Garlic-in-oil, pickled goods and fermented foods (in most states)
  • Kombucha, juices and other beverages requiring a process authority

Montana labeling requirements

  1. The name and physical address of your home kitchen business
  2. The common name of the product
  3. A full ingredient list in descending order by weight
  4. Allergen declaration for the major allergens (milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, sesame)
  5. Net weight or volume
  6. A cottage food disclosure such as "Made in a home kitchen that is not subject to routine state inspection"

Official source for Montana

Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services administers cottage food rules in Montana.

Last verified:

Visit Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services

Not legal advice. This summary is for general education. Confirm with Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services before you start selling.

Cottage food laws in other states