You will need to determine your predominant mode of sales. You need to determine which type of sales will make up most of your business. If retail sales (to consumers, online, etc.) will be 50% or more of your total sales, you’ll need a Retail Food Broker license. If wholesale sales (to other businesses) will be 50% or more, you’ll need a Wholesale Food Broker license. If you're unsure, contact the MDA licensing liaison for help.
You will need to determine your predominant mode of sales. You need to determine which type of sales will make up most of your business. If retail sales (to consumers, online, etc.) will be 50% or more of your total sales, you’ll need a Retail Food Broker license. If wholesale sales (to other businesses) will be 50% or more, you’ll need a Wholesale Food Broker license. If you're unsure, contact the MDA licensing liaison for help.
If your business is based in Minnesota, you’ll need a food broker license from the MDA. However, if your business is outside of Minnesota and you’re selling to Minnesota distributors, you don’t need a Minnesota food broker license.
If your business is based in Minnesota, you’ll need a food broker license from the MDA. However, if your business is outside of Minnesota and you’re selling to Minnesota distributors, you don’t need a Minnesota food broker license.
Contact the MDA to determine your area food inspector. The area inspector may request an in-person inspection. The inspector will provide you with a copy of the MDA Food Broker license application. An electronic form of the license application is NOT available through the MDA website.
Contact the MDA to determine your area food inspector. The area inspector may request an in-person inspection. The inspector will provide you with a copy of the MDA Food Broker license application. An electronic form of the license application is NOT available through the MDA website.
Contact the MDA or submit a Food Licensing Liaison Request. The MDA licensing liaison will email you the area inspector’s contact information.
NOTE: Please contact your area inspector at least two weeks prior to your anticipated business start date.
Contact the MDA or submit a Food Licensing Liaison Request. The MDA licensing liaison will email you the area inspector’s contact information.
NOTE: Please contact your area inspector at least two weeks prior to your anticipated business start date.
In addition to basic business information such as legal name, doing- business-as (DBA), physical, and mailing addresses, the following four items are required on the license application:
- Minnesota Tax ID number (associated with the business name registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State) OR your Social Security number (if filing as an individual)
- Workers Compensation Insurance policy number and effective dates if applicable (if you plan on having paid or compensated employees)
- Estimated gross annual food sales (January 1 – December 31)
- Check, money order, or cashier’s check for the license fee
In addition to basic business information such as legal name, doing- business-as (DBA), physical, and mailing addresses, the following four items are required on the license application:
- Minnesota Tax ID number (associated with the business name registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State) OR your Social Security number (if filing as an individual)
- Workers Compensation Insurance policy number and effective dates if applicable (if you plan on having paid or compensated employees)
- Estimated gross annual food sales (January 1 – December 31)
- Check, money order, or cashier’s check for the license fee
