Michigan

1. Can you sell charcuterie boards from home in Michigan?

No.

Michigan’s Cottage Food Law only allows “non-potentially hazardous” foods that do not require time/temperature control for safety—basically shelf-stable foods. Michigan.gov+2Ag & Natural Resources College+2

MDARD’s updated one-pager reiterates the same limit: only low-risk foods that don’t require refrigeration after prep qualify; refrigerated/TCS foods can’t be cottage foods. Michigan.gov+1

Because standard charcuterie boards include:

• cured meats (animal product + TCS)
• cut cheeses/dairy (TCS)
• cut produce/dips that often need refrigeration

…they’re TCS and not legal as cottage foods from a home kitchen in Michigan. Michigan.gov+2Ag & Natural Resources College+2

Translation: In Michigan, you can’t legally sell meat-and-cheese boards, grazing boxes/cups, or refrigerated dips made at home.

2. What is allowed from home in Michigan (good early-stage lane)

You can start a home-based brand if you stay shelf-stable / non-TCS, like:

• baked goods that don’t need refrigeration
• jams/jellies (high-acid)
• dry spice blends, herbs
• snack mixes, granola, candied nuts
• vinegar and flavored vinegars
• Examples/eligibility are listed by MDARD/MSU. Monroe County+3Michigan.gov+3BROAD STREET EVENTS+3

Charcuterie-adjacent products you can sell cottage-legal:

• cracker/breadstick packs
• spice blends / dry rubs
• candied nuts
• jam/honey pairings
• “build-your-own board kits” without meat/cheese or any refrigerated components

Michigan cottage food rules you must follow

Key points from MDARD/MSU:

• No license or routine inspection if you stay within cottage foods. Michigan.gov+1
• Direct-to-consumer only. Michigan.gov+2Ag & Natural Resources College+2
• No wholesale/retail resale. Michigan.gov+1
• In-person transfer required (MDARD states cottage foods must be handed to the consumer by the producer; shipping/mail order isn’t allowed). Michigan.gov
• Labeling required with ingredients, allergens, net weight, your name/address, and the state cottage disclaimer. Michigan.gov+2Ag & Natural Resources College+2
• Sales cap: Michigan cottage foods have a statewide annual gross sales limit (MDARD updates this number periodically). Michigan.gov+1

3. What you need to sell real charcuterie in Michigan

For boards/boxes/cups with meat & cheese, you’re in the licensed food establishment lane under the Michigan Food Law.

A) Use an approved commercial/commissary kitchen

Michigan requires a food establishment license in almost all cases where food is prepared, stored, or sold to the public, especially TCS foods. Michigan.gov+1

A private home kitchen doesn’t qualify for TCS charcuterie production, so you’ll need:

• shared/commissary commercial kitchen
• leased restaurant kitchen off-hours
• your own build-out that passes plan review + inspection

B) Get a Food Establishment License

MDARD (or your local health department, depending on county) licenses:

• Retail Food Establishments / Food Processors (boards for pickup, markets, delivery)
• Catering / Food Service Establishments (grazing tables, event service)

New operations go through plan review, then a final pre-opening inspection before licensing, followed by routine inspections. Michigan.gov+1

C) Events / pop-ups

If you assemble or serve boards at fairs, festivals, wineries, etc., you usually need a Temporary Food Establishment (TFE) permit from the local health department. michiganfoodsafety.com

D) Meat & dairy sourcing

For licensed charcuterie:

• buy USDA/state-inspected meats
• use pasteurized commercial cheeses/dairy
• keep invoices for inspections
• If you want to cure/smoke meats yourself or vacuum seal/ROP boards, that becomes a “special process” needing extra approvals under the food code.

4. Michigan startup lanes (pick your path)

Lane A — Home-based now (legal)

Non-TCS only

1.   Stay within MDARD cottage-approved foods

2.   Label properly + add cottage disclaimer

3.   Sell direct, in-person, within MI

4.   Stay under the cottage sales cap

Michigan.gov+2Ag & Natural Resources College+2

Lane B — Full charcuterie boards & grazing tables

Commercial kitchen + license

1.   Secure an approved commercial/commissary kitchen

2.   Submit MDARD plan review + menu

3.   Pass pre-opening inspection

4.   Operate with cold-chain + sanitation SOPs

Michigan.gov+2Michigan.gov+2