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
- Read through the zoning regulations for your municipality and familiarize yourself with Act 143. To determine if your agritourism addition meets the specifications of Act 143, you can use the above guide.
- 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.
Licenses
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 | Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, Dairy Section Phone: 802-828-2421 |
|
Frozen Dessert | Ice cream, sorbet | Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, Dairy Section Phone: 802-828-2421 |
|
Baked Goods | Pastries, bread, cake | Vermont Department of Health, Bakery Section Phone 802-863-7221 |
|
Meat | Sliced deli meat, sausages, whole meat cuts | Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets Phone: 802-828-2426 |
|
Processed Food | Candy, popcorn, jellies, ciders | Vermont Department of Health Phone: 802-863-7221 |
|
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 |
|
Malt and Vinous Beverages | Wine, beer, spirits, cider, mead | Department of liquor control enforcement and licensing division Contact: 802-828-2345 |
|
Maple Syrup | Syrup, sugar | Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, Maple section Phone: 802-828-2430 |
|
General Produce | Tomatoes, corn, squash | Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets Phone: 802-461-5128 |
|
Strawberries | Vermont Statutes Phone: 802-828-2430 |
| |
Eggs | Vermont Statutes Phone: 802-828-2430 | ||
Potatoes | Vermont Statutes Phone: 802-828-2430 | ||
Apples | Vermont Statutes Phone: 802-828-2430 |
