Overview: Indiana's Cottage Food Law
Indiana allows residents to make and sell certain homemade food products directly to consumers without obtaining a commercial food processing license. This is called a "cottage food" operation, and it covers a specific set of lower-risk foods — primarily baked goods, jams, candies, and similar shelf-stable products.
Indiana's cottage food law is a Tier 2 state — meaning registration required. You must register with the state before selling. Registration is typically free or low-cost and does not require an inspection of your home kitchen.
Annual Sales Limit
This state has no annual gross sales limit for cottage food sellers. You can sell as much as your market allows.
License and Registration
License status: Registration Required
You must register with the state before selling. Registration is typically free or low-cost and does not require an inspection of your home kitchen.
You must contact your state agriculture department to obtain the required license or registration before making your first sale.
What You Can Sell
Indiana's cottage food law permits sales of non-TCS (non-Temperature Control for Safety) foods. These are foods that do not require refrigeration to stay safe. Common examples include:
- Baked goods (non-TCS)
- Jams & jellies
- Candy
- Granola
- Dried herbs
- Roasted nuts
What you cannot sell: Anything requiring refrigeration — custard pies, cream-filled pastries, cheesecakes, meat products, most dairy items, and home-canned low-acid vegetables are not permitted under cottage food exemptions in most states.
Labeling Requirements
Every cottage food product sold in Indiana must be properly labeled. At minimum, your label must include:
- Your full name and home address
- The name of the food product
- A complete list of ingredients in descending order by weight
- Net weight or volume
- A disclosure that the food was made in an uninspected home kitchen
- Allergen statement per FDA requirements
The exact wording of the required disclosure statement varies by state. Check with the Indiana Department of Agriculture for the required language. Using incorrect or incomplete wording can result in fines or being asked to stop selling.
See our complete guide: Federal Cottage Food Labeling Requirements
Where You Can Sell
In Indiana, cottage food may be sold:
- Farmers markets — most markets welcome cottage food vendors
- Direct to consumer — at your home, at community events, or by arrangement
- Craft fairs and pop-up markets — generally permitted as direct sales
- Online (in-state only) — you may take orders online and deliver within the state
How to Get Started in Indiana
Here is the step-by-step process for legally starting a cottage food operation in Indiana:
- Register with the state — contact the Indiana Department of Agriculture to complete registration
- Identify your products — confirm they are non-TCS and permitted under Indiana's law
- Create compliant labels — include all required fields and the required disclosure statement
- Track your sales — maintain records of gross sales to stay under the cap
- Find your venues — apply to farmers markets and community events in your area
Cottage food laws in Indiana may have changed since this page was last updated (2023). Always confirm current rules directly with the Indiana Department of Agriculture before your first sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
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You need to register with the state before selling. Registration is free or low-cost.
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Yes — farmers markets are a permitted sales channel under Indiana's cottage food law. Confirm with your specific market that they allow cottage food vendors, as individual market rules may vary.
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Yes — Indiana allows in-state online sales and delivery.
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Foods that require time/temperature control for safety (TCS foods) are generally not permitted. This includes anything that must be refrigerated: custard pies, cream-filled pastries, cheesecakes, meat products, most dairy products, home-canned low-acid vegetables, and fermented foods that require refrigeration. When in doubt, check with the Indiana Department of Agriculture.
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At minimum, your label must include: your full name and home address, the name of the food product, a complete list of ingredients in descending order by weight, the net weight or volume, and a disclosure statement indicating the food was made in an uninspected home kitchen. Some states require specific exact language — check with Indiana's agriculture department for the required wording.
Official Source
All cottage food operations in Indiana are governed by Ind. Code § 16-42-5.3. The administering agency is the Indiana Department of Agriculture (or equivalent).