Wyoming Cottage Food Laws

Wyoming Cottage Food Law: Comprehensive Guide

Wyoming’s Food Freedom Act is among the most permissive cottage food laws in the U.S., allowing virtually all homemade foods (with limited exceptions) to be sold directly to consumers within the state—no permits, inspections, training, or fees required, up to $250,000 in annual sales.

Quick Facts

1. Overview / Introduction

Wyoming’s Food Freedom Act, enacted in 2015 (HB 0056), created a sweeping exemption for homemade food sales: it “exempt[s] certain sales from licensure, certification and inspection” (wyoleg.gov). Over time, amendments (notably in 2017 and 2020) have expanded the law’s scope, allowing broader participation and sales methods (cottagecms.com). The result: Wyoming operates with virtually zero regulatory barriers for home-based food entrepreneurs.

2. Sales Limits

Wyoming imposes a $250,000 annual gross sales cap on cottage food operations (foodhandlersguide.com). Some resources note an additional unit limit of 250,000 units per year (cottagecms.com). Entrepreneurs should carefully track both revenue and units sold to remain compliant.

3. Licensing & Registration

No license, permit, or registration is required. You don’t need to apply, pay fees, or obtain approval from state or local authorities (ij.org).

4. Training Requirements

No formal food safety or handler training is mandated under Wyoming law (ij.org). While not required, completing a course (especially ANAB–accredited) may help meet requirements of markets, insurers, or increase consumer trust (foodsafepal.com).

5. Home Kitchen Inspection

Inspections are not required. No home kitchen inspection is mandated before beginning sales (ij.org).

6. Allowed Foods

Wyoming allows virtually any homemade food, including baked goods, jams, jellies, canned goods, dairy, frozen foods, and even fresh meals—except mammalian meats (standscout.com). Specific allowances include:

• Dairy products, eggs, ice cream, refrigerated/frozen items
• Baked goods including cream‑filled pastries
• Honey, pickled vegetables, dried herbs, etc. Additionally, poultry (up to 1,000 birds/year), rabbit meat, and farm‑raised fish are allowed under specific exemptions (cottagecms.com).

7. Prohibited Foods

Wyoming’s main restriction is on mammalian meat (beef, pork, lamb, wild game) due to federal inspection laws (standscout.com). All other homemade foods are permitted, subject to exemptions for poultry, rabbit, and fish when producer‑raised under limits (cottagecms.com).

8. Labeling Requirements

Labels must clearly disclose:

• “This food was made in a home kitchen, is not regulated or inspected and may contain allergens.” (ij.org). For retail sales of non‑potentially hazardous foods, a specific label is required. Sale venues like farmers markets or direct pick‑ups may allow verbal or written disclosure that the food is unregulated (foodsafepal.com).

9. Where You Can Sell

You may sell:

• Directly to consumers in-person within Wyoming—at farmers markets, roadside stands, events, from home, or via delivery/pick‑up (foodsafepal.com).
• Through designated agents (e.g., vendors at markets selling your food on your behalf), allowed for non-potentially hazardous products (standscout.com).
• Online within Wyoming is allowed, but shipping across state lines is prohibited (cottagecms.com).

10. Sales Tax

Information from sources is limited. Some indicate no sales tax is required on direct cottage food sales under $250,000 (foodhandlersguide.com), but local tax rules may vary (legalclarity.org). Entrepreneurs should verify with the Wyoming Department of Revenue or local tax authority.

11. Special Exemptions

• Poultry (≤1,000 birds/year), rabbit meat, and farm‑raised fish are permitted under federal exemptions (cottagecms.com).
• Designated agents permitted to sell on producers’ behalf as long as conditions are met (cottagecms.com).
• No zoning, HOA, or local ordinances may override Food Freedom (standscout.com).

12. Getting Started

Practical steps:

1. Ensure your product recipes comply (no mammalian meat unless exempt).
2. Track your annual revenue and units to stay under $250,000/unit cap.
3. Label accordingly, especially for retail: include required disclaimer.
4. Choose a sales venue: market, farmers stand, direct delivery, designated agent.
5. Optional: complete food safety training for credibility.
6. Check local tax and zoning requirements to confirm compliance.

13. Official Resources

• Wyoming Food Freedom Act (HB 0056, 2015): legislative text (wyoleg.gov)
• Wyoming Department of Agriculture – Food Safety homepage (for general food safety guidance): (agriculture.wy.gov)
• Wyoming Department of Agriculture – Meat/Poultry program (for understanding meat regulations and limitations): (agriculture.wy.gov)
• FDA Safe Food Handling guidance (general best practices): (fda.gov)

Official Sources

This guide was compiled from the following official sources:

• wyoleg.gov
• standscout.com
• cottagecms.com
• foodsafepal.com
• ij.org
• www.foodhandlersguide.com
• legalclarity.org
• www.foodhandlersguide.com
• agriculture.wy.gov
• agriculture.wy.gov
• www.fda.gov

Important Notes

⚠️ Some secondary sources (like Food Handler's Guide) may contain inaccuracies — always verify with official statutes and the Wyoming Department of Agriculture.

⚠️ Sales tax information is unclear — consult Wyoming Department of Revenue or local tax officials before selling.

⚠️ Unit cap (250,000 units) is noted by some sources but not official statutes; track both revenue and units to be safe.