Where do I start?
All food makers (packaged food, food trucks, and ready-to-eat food vendors, as well as cottage food vendors) are required to have a permit or registration to sell or sample foods at our market. This table will help you sort through the type of permit, registration, and insurance you may need. We ask all vendors to complete the Sales Tax Form MN ST19 and check the first box, if their items are non-taxable.
Also be sure to download our Vendor Checklist here.
Do I need a permit?
One type of permit common to many of our vendors is the Minnesota Cottage Food Permit. You can learn about it here: MN MDA Cottage Law Page and apply for it here: Cottage Food Producer Registration Page.
Another is the Minneapolis Seasonal Food Permit. To find out if you need one to sell your food or food-related products at our market, look here: Minneapolis Seasonal Food Permit Instructions and Application PDF.
Do I need insurance?
We have found the Minnesota Farmers Market Association to be an excellent resource for finding inexpensive, seasonal insurance. View their insurance information page here.
We ask that you name East Isles Neighborhood Association on the policy and use this address:
East Isles Neighborhood Association
2751 Hennepin Ave S, #294
Minneapolis, MN 55408
What is Sales Tax Form MN ST19?
Download or print Sales Tax Form MN ST19 here. This is a required form and must be completed in order to be a vendor at the East Isles Farmers Market. If you will NOT be collecting sales tax, just fill out and check the first box.
Can I sample my food?
Absolutely! However, anyone sampling food must have a hand washing station within 10 feet of their booth. East Isles Farmers Market will have several hand washing stations on-site, but cannot guarantee proximity to your booth. Please review our material on Hand Washing Policy here for more information.
East Isles Farmers Market strives to minimize our footprint. Therefore, we ask all vendors to provide compostable utensils and paper goods. They can be purchased here: http://letsgogreen.biz/pages/utensils/utensils.html
What’s all this talk about potentially hazardous?
Minnesota Cottage Foods Law is based on a singular premise: potentially hazardous foods are not permitted. What does potentially hazardous mean? View the list here: Non-Potentially-Hazardous Foods PDF on the Minnesota Cottage Foods Law page for more information.