Indiana Cottage Food Law: Farmers Markets & Roadside Stands Only?

molly.jeanNibbler

Hi everyone! I am brand new to the cookie world and to the Cookie Connection, so I apologize if this has already been discussed and I missed it. I'm based in Indiana and looked into the Cottage Food Law which say, "foods may only be sold at farmers markets and roadside stands within the state." How does this work with advertising/selling on social media? I've read a lot of blogs/forums about Facebook/Instagram being the best place to market yourself. Is that not allowed given Indiana's law? Any help or advice is greatly appreciated!

12/4/197:33 AM

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Julia M. UsherFounder and Host, Cookie Connection; Owner, Recipes for a Sweet Life

Hi, molly.jean, Congrats on making your first post. I look forward to many more to come!

12/4/197:33 AM

Julia M. UsherFounder and Host, Cookie Connection; Owner, Recipes for a Sweet Life

Hi, @molly.jean, welcome again to the site! I hope you enjoy it! I am in no way an expert on any state's cottage food laws, but this site is a good resource: https://forrager.com/law/indiana/. The way I read what they say is that you can market/advertise online, but you can only deliver the product at farmers' markets and roadside stands.*

However, this page of the forrager site was last updated in 2012, and, in any event, you really need to consult your local authorities and laws on the matter. (The laws can be very particular to state and city/county locality.) At the bottom of the forrager site, they have links to the Indiana food laws, so that may be a good place to start. Or call you local Department of Health.

Best of luck!

*P.S. Below is a screenshot of what the forrager site says on the matter (but, again, it was last updated in 2012):

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12/4/199:38 AM

Julia M. UsherFounder and Host, Cookie Connection; Owner, Recipes for a Sweet Life

And here's an excerpt from the document in the forrager.com link entitled "Guidance on HEA 1309" (which is the House Enrolled Act that governs Indiana). This document was issued by the Indiana Department of Health and is dated 2009, so you should go the Indiana Department of Health site (or call them) to be sure what I've copied here is the most current information: