Farmers Markets
Minneapolis is home to nearly 30 markets across the City. The markets range from small mini-markets to large farmers markets. For information about Farmers Markets locations and hours visit the Homegrown Minneapolis webpage.
Becoming a vendor
To become a vendor at a Minneapolis farmers market or other public market, contact the market manager (click on the "View a list of market schedules" link).
All vendors must be invited to participate in markets and public events by the market manager or the event food sponsor.
Every invited vendor must give their permit or license number, or exemption information, to the market manager.
Vendors at Minneapolis farmers markets must get a Minneapolis Seasonal Food Permit, with some exceptions. Exceptions are food trucks licensed by the City of Minneapolis and exempt vendors (see #2 below).
Three types of vendors are allowed at Minneapolis farmers markets: 1. Seasonal Food Permit vendors, 2. Exempt vendors and 3. Minneapolis licensed food trucks.
1. Seasonal Food Permit vendor
This permit allows vendors to participate in farmers markets and public events in Minneapolis.
Seasonal Food Permit vendors typically:
- Provide food intended for immediate consumption
- Provide packaged food intended for off-site consumption
- Resell produce
- Are wild harvesters - A wild harvester is a vendor who sells products that are grown and harvested on land that is not owned or leased by the harvester, and who is licensed according to Minnesota law or city ordinance.
- Are farm processors - A farm processor is a vendor who sells products that are grown, raised or harvested on land owned or leased by the farm processor and have additional ingredients added that are purchased and/or not grown, raised or harvested by them on their land such as to produce sausage, bacon, cheese, flavors added to honey or maple syrup, etc. and who is licensed according to Minnesota law or city ordinance.
You must get a Seasonal Food Permit even if you have a:
- Restaurant license
- State retail or state mobile food license (such as a Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Mobile Food Unit or a Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Retail Mobile Food Handler license)
Seasonal Food Permit application (PDF) English, Spanish
2. Exempt Vendors
State law allows specific vendors to operate without a permit or license. You are an exempt vendor if you meet the definition of exempt vendor in state law.
If you are a Cottage Food Producer, you must be registered with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) to use your exemption.
- A Cottage Food Producer is an individual who prepares and sells home processed non-time/temperature control for safety food (TCS) (formerly non-Potentially Hazardous Food) directly to the consumer.
- Cottage Food Producers must meet the requirements of MN Stat 28A.152.
- Visit the MDA website for information on becoming a registered cottage food producer.
You must tell the market manager if you are an exempt vendor. You do not need to be registered with MDA if you are one of the following vendor types.
- Product of the Farm vendor - A grower, or a group of growers, who sell products that are grown, raised or harvested on land owned or leased by the grower(s) with no off-farm ingredients added. Examples include vegetables, fruits, eggs, meats, plants, flowers, honey, maple syrup, etc. as recognized by MN Stat. 28A.15.
- Meat Processor – Farmers who sell meat from their own animals that have been processed at a state “equal to” or USDA facility. No ingredients may be added to the meat. To be exempt from licensing, farmers must only sell their inspected meat.
- Food demonstration and sampling - A market sponsored food demonstration and sampling activity. The main ingredient(s) used must be from vendors at the market. The market must have a MN registered Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) present during food demonstrations. The demonstration must meet promotional or educational purposes as defined in MN 28A.151.
- Poultry Processors - Farmers selling whole or cut up poultry (no other ingredients added) from their own flock that were slaughtered at an MDA inspected facility.
3. Minneapolis Licensed Food Trucks
Food trucks with a Minneapolis Mobile Food Vehicle Vendor license are allowed at farms markets and at permitted public events in Minneapolis.
Seasonal Food Permit
A Seasonal Food Permit allows a vendor to sell or give away food and/or drink at multiple licensed civic events, community celebrations and farmers markets throughout the year. Apply for your permit at least two weeks before your first event.
Seasonal Food Permit Application English, Español
The annual Seasonal Food Permit is $235. Seasonal Food Permits are valid for one year, from April 1 through March 31.
A maximum of two stands can operate under each permit per event.
Using mechanical refrigeration
Vendors with cold time/temperature control for safety foods (formerly Potentially Hazardous Food) must use mechanical refrigeration certified or classified for sanitation by an ANSI accredited certification program (such as NSF, CSA, ETL, or UL).
Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food is any perishable food that can support rapid and progressive grown of infection or toxigenic microorganisms.
Questions? Call 311 (612-673-3000 outside Minneapolis) or email [email protected]. Ask to speak with a health inspector on the food permit team.
Farmers market vendor categories
If you are a: | Then you need: |
| Seasonal vendor | Minneapolis Seasonal Food Permit, English, Spanish |
| Farm processor (see definition below) | Minneapolis Seasonal Food Permit English, Spanish |
| Wild harvester (see definition below) | Minneapolis Seasonal Food Permit English, Spanish |
| Registered Cottage Food vendor | Register with MN Dept. of Agriculture and market manager |
| Registered Poultry Processor | Register with MN Dept. of Agriculture and market manager |
| Product of the Farm | Register with market manager |
| Meat Processor | Register with market manager |
| Food sampling/demo | Register with market manager |
Market managers
The market manager is responsible for the market(s):
- Supervision,
- Management,
- Control of the market(s), and
- Removal of vendors who were not invited to the event.
See duties of the market manager.
The market manager must be present when the market is open to the public.
The market manager must make sure all food vendors are permitted or licensed before operating at the market, unless they are an exempt vendor. Refer to the section Becoming a vendor above.
The market manager must keep an accurate record of each vendor. Minneapolis ordinance 201.95 lists the information that must be recorded. The records must be easily available and given to City of Minneapolis staff when requested. Logs must be kept for one year.
Vendor lists
Market managers looking for vendors can use these lists. The City of Minneapolis does not endorse any company or individual.
Mobile Food Vehicle vendor list (Food trucks and ice cream carts.)
MDA Cottage Food Producer lookup (Lookup under a business name or the name of a registered individual.)
http://www2.mda.state.mn.us/webapp/lis/default.jsp
If you have questions about these lists, contact the Health Department at 612-673-2301 or [email protected]. Ask to speak with a health inspector on the food permit team.
Operating a licensed market
Opening and operating a farmers market or other public market in Minneapolis requires a license with a plan review approval.
Minneapolis has three types of market licenses:
- Farmers markets
- Mini markets
- Produce and craft markets
Accommodations
Should you require a reasonable accommodation in order to fully participate, or information in an alternative format, please contact 612-673-2301.
Para asistencia 612-673-2700 - Rau kev pab 612-673-2800 - Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay 612-673-3500.
Last updated May 15, 2019
