Farmers Markets
As part of Minneapolis’ goal to simplify business requirements, the categories of farmers market vendors listed in the chart below will be converted to Seasonal Food Permits. This allows vendors to sell at farmers markets, civic events and community celebrations without being required to obtain multiple licenses.
As with all events, vendors must be invited to participate in events and must be listed on the Event Food Sponsor Permit or Farmers Market Vendor List.
Recent changes to farmers and municipal markets ordinance
The changes in Chapter 201 (Public Markets) and Chapter 202 (Municipal Market) , as well as 188.170 (Short Term Food Permits and Seasonal Food Permits) and 186.50 (Definitions) are to:
Remove the Market Distributor and Market Manufacturer licenses and replace with the Seasonal Food Permit (effectively allowing those vendors to sell at markets AND events without needing additional permits).
Update language to be better aligned with [new] state food code (such as recognizing Product of the Farm exempt vendors and Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) registered Cottage Food vendors).
Simplify confusing language where possible.
Accurately describe what vendors may not need a Short-Term Food Permit to take part in a public event, including wine and/or beer samplers called “pour-only."
Do I need a City permit or State license?
Vendors who sell only in Minneapolis:
Only need a City of Minneapolis Seasonal Food Permit.
Vendors who sell in Minneapolis and other areas of the state who are currently licensed either by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) as a Retail Mobile Food Handler or by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) as a Mobile Food Unit.
Should retain their Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Retail Mobile Food Handler license,
AND
Must apply for and obtain a Minneapolis Seasonal Food Permit to sell or give away food or beverages in Minneapolis.
Seasonal Food Permit
Seasonal Food Permit, English, Español - 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.
A maximum of two stands are allowed to operate under each permit per event.
Seasonal food vendor list
The Seasonal Food Vendor list is intended to assist market managers looking for vendors for a market. The City of Minneapolis does not endorse any company.
If you have questions about this list, contact the Health Department at 612-673-2301 or [email protected]. Ask to speak with a health inspector on the food permit team.
Farmers market categories converted to Seasonal Food Permits
In 2016, these farmers market categories were discontinued and converted to Seasonal Food Permits:
- Market Distributor - A market vendor who sells fresh produce purchased from retail stores, wholesalers or agricultural producers, or sells prepackaged foods for off-site consumption, excluding home processors, provided that the vendor does not handle unpackaged food while at the market, and who is licensed according to Minnesota law or city ordinance.
- Market Manufacturer - A market vendor who sells and handles foods prepared for immediate consumption at the market and who is licensed according to Minnesota law or city ordinance.
- Farm Processor - A market 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.
- Wild Harvester - A market 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.
- Link to Seasonal Food Permit application. Español
Vendors who applied for one of the discontinued licenses or renewed their license under one of these categories will automatically be converted to a Seasonal Food Permit.
For more information visit www.minneapolismn.gov/CivicEvents
Frequently Asked Questions by food and beverage vendors (When FAQ opens, scroll down to the vendors section.)
Exempt from licensing
- Registered Cottage Food Vendors - An individual who prepares and sells home processed food that are not potentially hazardous food directly to the consumer, and meets the requirements of MN Stat 28A.152. Cottage food vendors must register with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). As with all events, vendors must be invited to participate and must be listed on the Event Food Sponsor Permit or Farmers Market Vendor List.
- Registered Poultry Processors - Farmers selling whole or cut up poultry (no other ingredients added) from their own flock that have been processed at a state "equal to" or USDA facility, or birds processed in an on-farm facility that meets the requirements of MN Rule 1545, are not required to be licensed per MN Stat 28A.15, and must be properly labeled as P.L. 90-492. See fact sheet: http://www.mda.state.mn.us/licensing/inspections/~/media/Files/food/foodsafety/poultrysales.ashx
These producers must register as an on-farm exempt producer with the MN Department of Agriculture at 651-201-6027. As with all events, vendors must be invited to participate and must be listed on the Event Food Sponsor Permit or Farmers Market Vendor List. - Product of the Farm (Market vendor) - A market vendor who sells products that are grown, raised or harvested on land owned or leased by grower, with no off-farm ingredients, including vegetables, fruits, eggs, meats, plants, flowers, honey, maple syrup etc. as recognized by MN Stat 28A.15. As with all events, vendors must be invited to participate and must be listed on the Event Food Sponsor Permit or Farmers Market Vendor List.
- Product of the Farm (Grower/Farmer) - A grower, farm processor, or a group of growers or farmer processors belonging to a growers' cooperative, or wild-harvester that is principally engaged in the production of farm and wild-harvested products recognized under MN Stat 28A.15. As with all events, vendors must be invited to participate and must be listed on the Event Food Sponsor Permit or Farmers Market Vendor List.
- Meat Processor - Farmers selling meat from their own animals that have been processed at a state "equal to" or USDA facility, do not add any ingredients, and sell only the inspected meat are exempt from licensing. Questions can be directed to the MDA at 651-201-6027. As with all events, vendors must be invited to participate and must be listed on the Event Food Sponsor Permit or Farmers Market Vendor List.
- Food Sampling and Demonstration - cooking or preparing food products that include as a main ingredient product sold by the vendor at the farmers' market or community event for promotional or educational purposes as defined in 28A.151. As with all events, vendors must be invited to participate and must be listed on the Event Food Sponsor Permit or Farmers Market Vendor List.
2015 | 2016 |
| Seasonal | Minneapolis - Seasonal Food Permit |
| Food Market Distributor | Minneapolis - Seasonal Food Permit |
| Food Market Manufacturer | Minneapolis - Seasonal Food Permit |
| Farm Processor | Minneapolis - Seasonal Food Permit |
| Wild Harvester | Minneapolis - Seasonal Food Permit |
| 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 (grower/farmer) | Register with Market Manager |
| Meat Processor | Register with Market Manager |
| Agricultural Producer | Register with Market Manager |
| Food Sampling/Demo | Register with Market Manager |
Public Market license
Opening or operating a farmers' market in Minneapolis requires an approval and licensing. There are different types of Farmers Market licenses/permits depending on the type of market the applicant wants to operate.
Public Market is a defined place regulated by the city for the selling and buying of farm products and other market related products. The three (3) categories of recognized and licensed public markets include:
Farmers markets
Mini markets
Produce and craft markets
A Municipal Market is a city-owned and regulated market for the selling and buying of farm products and other market related products.
Cottage Food Bill
Cottage Food vendors are required to register with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA).
For more information, please visit the MDA website:
(http://www.mda.state.mn.us/licensing/licensetypes/cottagefood.aspx)
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 Mar 28, 2018
