How to Sell Food From Home in Montana (2026)

Verified October 29, 2026 from official Montana sources.

The short answer: Montana has two paths. Cottage food requires a one-time $40 registration with your local health department, and cottage food cannot be sold online or by mail order. The Local Food Choice Act lets you sell homemade food with no license, in Montana only, as long as you tell buyers the food is not licensed or inspected.

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Cottage food path

  • One-time $40 registration with your local health department
  • Sold directly to the consumer within Montana
  • Not sold to restaurants, wholesale, online or by mail order
  • Label: "Made in a home kitchen that is not subject to retail food establishment regulations or inspections," at least 11-point font

Local Food Choice Act path

  • No license, permit or inspection
  • Transactions only within Montana
  • You must tell the buyer the food has not been licensed, permitted, certified, packaged, labeled or inspected

How to get started

  1. Choose your path.
  2. For cottage food, register recipes and labels with your local health department.
  3. Get the app and set up your menu.

Official sources

FAQ

How much does Montana cottage food registration cost?

A one-time $40 fee.

What is the Montana Local Food Choice Act?

A law that lets you sell homemade food in Montana without a license, if you tell buyers it is not licensed or inspected.

Can I sell cottage food online in Montana?

Not under the cottage food path.

Ready to sell in Montana?

Get it on Google Play

iPhone app coming soon.

Book a 15-minute call

Related: Permits by state · Wyoming · Idaho · North Dakota

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and can differ by city and county. Confirm with your state or local health or agriculture department before you sell.