Getting Started: Making or Selling Food Made from Your Farm Products

Thinking about using your farm fresh products to make or prepare food items? Use these checklists to get you started when it comes to licenses, regulations and permits.

Land Use Regulations

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Read through the zoning regulations for your municipality and familiarize yourself with Act 143.
- Obtain a zoning permit, if necessary.
- Determine if your municipality requires a site plan review.
- Submit an application and site plan review to your municipality, if necessary.

It’s important to note that Act 143, as amended by Act 181, in Vermont. If your business features or sells qualifying products, you may need to submit an application to your municipality for a site plan review. The definition of qualifying products has been expanded to include:

Agricultural products produced on any farm, regardless of total annual sales
Products that name, describe, or promote the farm or AOFB
Bread and baked goods
All previously allowed products under Act 143

Importantly, Act 181 has removed the requirement that at least 50% of annual income must come from products grown or produced on the farm where the business is located. Different municipalities may have different rules, but they cannot prohibit an accessory on-farm business.

Licenses

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The following table can help you navigate the regulations and licenses required for various types of foods and products that you may be selling or serving.

If you are selling wholesale, follow regulations listed below.
If you are producing and serving food regularly, then you may need licensing from the agency for food processing, as well as separate licensing for food service from the Department of Health.
If you are using products from your farm to make any of these products (for example, jams) then you should follow any regulations listed below for those products.

Food Product	Examples	Agency with Oversight	Permits/Licenses that Apply
Dairy	Milk, cheese	Phone: 802-828-2421	License based on volume per day,
Frozen Dessert	Ice cream, sorbet	Phone: 802-828-2421	A retail license may be needed,
Baked Goods	Pastries, bread, cake	Vermont Department of Health, Bakery Section Phone 802-863-7221	If sales are under $6,500, you may be able to If you don't meet the criteria for exemption, you'll need to .
Meat	Sliced deli meat, sausages, whole meat cuts	Phone: 802-828-2426	A meat handlers operation license will be necessary. . HACCP plan may also be required.
Processed Food	Candy, popcorn, jellies, ciders	Vermont Department of Health Phone: 802-863-7221	You will need a food processing establishment license. . There is .
Canned Goods	Fruits, meat	Vermont Department of Health for fruit and vegetables and Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets for meat Phone (Department of Health): 802-863-7221 Phone (VAAFM): 802-828-2426	Falls under the Cottage Food Law. Processing vegetables may fall under processed foods. There is .
Malt and Vinous Beverages	Wine, beer, spirits, cider, mead	Department of liquor control enforcement and licensing division Contact: 802-828-2345	You will need a certain license depending on your situation (if you are manufacturing alcohol, selling it, etc.). .
Maple Syrup	Syrup, sugar	Phone: 802-828-2430	If you will be selling more than 1,000 gallons of maple syrup from a farm that is not your own, .
General Produce	Tomatoes, corn, squash	Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets Phone: 802-461-5128	can provide you with additional resources and support to ensure you are meeting all regulations and requirements.
Strawberries		Vermont Statutes Phone: 802-828-2430 Email: AGR.Helpdesk@vermont.gov	If they do not come directly from your farm, you will want to .
Eggs		Vermont Statutes Phone: 802-828-2430 Email: AGR.Helpdesk@vermont.gov	.
Potatoes		Vermont Statutes Phone: 802-828-2430 Email: AGR.Helpdesk@vermont.gov	.
Apples		Vermont Statutes Phone: 802-828-2430 Email: AGR.Helpdesk@vermont.gov	.

Additional Resources

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Guide to Navigating Agritourism Regulations

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