A farmer selling meat from their own livestock animals, with no added ingredients (that means no cure or spices), may do so without a food license or inspection, provided their livestock are processed under continuous inspection at a USDA or Minnesota “Equal To” facility. Referred to as “product of the farm” sales, this falls under Minnesota Food Licensing Exclusions and Exemptions. The processing plant will work with you to ensure your products are appropriately labeled.
If you plan to open a farm store or sell any products not produced on your farm (including products containing ingredients not produced on your farm), you may need a food handler license and approved facility. Contact the Food and Feed Safety Division Licensing Liaison or complete a Food Licensing Liaison Request form online.
A farmer selling meat from their own livestock animals, with no added ingredients (that means no cure or spices), may do so without a food license or inspection, provided their livestock are processed under continuous inspection at a USDA or Minnesota “Equal To” facility. Referred to as “product of the farm” sales, this falls under Minnesota Food Licensing Exclusions and Exemptions. The processing plant will work with you to ensure your products are appropriately labeled.
If you plan to open a farm store or sell any products not produced on your farm (including products containing ingredients not produced on your farm), you may need a food handler license and approved facility. Contact the Food and Feed Safety Division Licensing Liaison or complete a Food Licensing Liaison Request form online.
Farmers may store their own packaged meat products from their farm in refrigerators or freezers that are in good condition, cleanable, and capable of keeping product frozen solid at 0°F or cold below 40°F (if fresh). Unless you are planning to acquire a food handler license to store and sell other products, you are not required to have a specific type of freezer or refrigeration unit. The following are additional resources on food safety for storing and freezing:
- This list of basic tips to follow for proper food storage (University of Minnesota Extension) is a good place to start.
- The USDA guide to refrigeration and food safety and freezing and food safety provide more information, including tables of storage times for different refrigerated and frozen meat and poultry products.
