Minnesota

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

No.

Minnesota’s Cottage Food Exemption only covers non-potentially hazardous / non-TCS foods — foods that do not require refrigeration for safety. Minnesota Department of Agriculture+2University of Minnesota Extension+2

MDA guidance explicitly says meat, poultry, fish, unbaked eggs, and dairy are not allowable cottage items. Minnesota Department of Agriculture+1

Because classic charcuterie boards include:

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

…they’re TCS and/or contain prohibited ingredients, so they cannot be sold as cottage foods from a home kitchen in MN. University of Minnesota Extension+1

Translation: In Minnesota, standard meat-and-cheese boards, grazing boxes, or cups made at home are not cottage-legal.

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

You can build your brand from home if you stay in the shelf-stable/non-TCS lane. Minnesota cottage foods must have pH ≤ 4.6 or water activity ≤ 0.85 (i.e., low-risk). University of Minnesota Extension+1

Charcuterie-adjacent cottage-legal products include:

• spice blends / dry rubs
• candied nuts, snack mixes, granola
• shelf-stable crackers/breadsticks
• jams, jellies, honey, fruit butters
• dehydrated fruits/herbs
• “build-your-own board kits” without meat, cheese, or refrigerated dips
• All of these fit the non-TCS framework if made to safe specs. Minnesota Department of Agriculture+1

Minnesota cottage food requirements (2025 thresholds)

You must register every year with MDA before selling. Minnesota Department of Agriculture+1

Minnesota uses two sales tiers:

• Tier 1: gross annual sales ≤ $7,665
• take the free online training + exam each year before registering. Minnesota Department of Agriculture+1
• Tier 2: gross annual sales $7,666 – $78,000
• take an approved food safety course every 3 years
• pay a $50 annual registration fee. Minnesota Department of Agriculture+2University of Minnesota Extension+2

Other key rules:

• Allowed foods only = non-TCS (no meat/cheese/dairy/egg products). University of Minnesota Extension+1
• Labeling required with ingredients/allergens + your contact info + the cottage disclosure statement. Minnesota Department of Agriculture+1
• Direct-to-consumer sales within Minnesota. (Once foods need refrigeration or include meat/dairy, you’re outside cottage exemption.) Minnesota Department of Agriculture+1

3. What you need to sell real charcuterie in Minnesota

If you want to sell boards with meat and cheese, you move into the licensed food establishment lane.

A) Approved commercial/commissary kitchen

Because charcuterie boards are TCS prepared foods, production must occur in a kitchen that meets Minnesota Food Code standards and can be inspected/licensed. Homes don’t qualify for TCS production under the cottage exemption. Minnesota Department of Agriculture+1

Common options:

• shared/commissary commercial kitchen
• leasing/partnering with a licensed restaurant kitchen
• your own permitted build-out (plan review + inspection)

B) Retail Food / Catering License

Licensing is handled by MDA or your local health department, depending on your model and county. You’ll be categorized as a:

• Retail Food Establishment / Deli-style prep (boards for pickup, markets, delivery)
• Caterer / Food Service Establishment (grazing tables, event delivery, staffed setups)

These require application, pre-opening inspection, and routine inspections. Minnesota Department of Agriculture+1

C) Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM)

For licensed food establishments in MN, a CFPM is required as the manager-in-charge. Minnesota Department of Health

D) Meat & dairy sourcing

Use only:

• USDA/state-inspected meats
• pasteurized, commercially produced cheeses/dairy
• keep invoices/labels for inspector verification

If you want to cure/smoke/dry meats yourself or vacuum-seal/ROP boards, that’s a “special process” and will require extra approvals/HACCP under the food code.

4. Minnesota startup lanes (pick your path)

Lane A — Home-based now (legal)

Non-TCS products only

1.   Register annually with MDA

2.   Complete Tier 1 or Tier 2 training as needed

3.   Label correctly

4.   Sell direct to MN consumers

Minnesota Department of Agriculture+2Minnesota Department of Agriculture+2

Lane B — Full charcuterie boards & grazing tables

Commercial kitchen + license

1.   Secure an approved commercial kitchen

2.   Apply for retail/catering license through MDA/LHD

3.   Pass pre-opening inspection

4.   Maintain CFPM + cold-chain SOPs

Minnesota Department of Agriculture+2Minnesota Department of Agriculture+2