Farmer’s Markets
Vendors can sell limited foods at authorized farmer’s markets without a permit or license, including homemade foods that do not contain meat, fresh produce, whole shell eggs, and hot coffee and tea. For vendors preparing or packaging food at the market or selling food with meat, a TFS permit or license is required.
See our Food Service Pathways chart for an overview of different ways to sell food in Montana.
What do I need from the health department to sell food at a farmer’s market?
There are multiple pathways to sell food at the farmer’s market. Different pathways have different requirements and allow you to do different things. See below for each of the different options.
Farmer's Market Exemptions
- Homemade foods with no meat
- Fresh Fruits and vegetables
- Whole shell eggs
- Plain hot coffee and hot tea (no dairy)
Your homemade food cannot contain any meat.
Food must be completely made and packaged at home. You cannot make, prepare, or package food at the farmer’s market. This includes pouring drinks or cutting cake slices.
You must inform your customers that your food is homemade and “is not licensed, permitted, certified, packaged, labeled, or inspected per any official regulations.” You can inform your customers verbally, with a sign, or with a label on the product.
Samples of foods that need to be refrigerated must be pre-packaged at home (e.g., juice, cheeses). For foods that do not require refrigeration, samples do not need to be pre-packaged (e.g., cookies, bread).
The fruits and vegetables must be whole and not processed in any way. This includes peeling, cutting, preserving (except for drying whole), cooking, or canning. Wild mushrooms do not qualify under Farmer’s Market Exemptions, and you must be a licensed Mushroom Vendor. ( Mushroom Plan Review Application)
Make sure the eggs are clean, free of cracks, and keep them stored in clean cartons at 45ºF or below.
You can make and sell hot coffee or hot tea at a farmer’s market. However, you are not allowed to provide or include fresh milk or cream. You can provide a shelf-stable creamer.
Cottage Food Registration
Cottage food vendors are welcome to sell at farmer’s markets. There is no requirement to become a registered cottage food vendor to sell at the market, as the Farmer’s Market Exemptions detailed above already allow the sale of homemade foods.
Licensed Mobiles
Mobiles licensed in Montana are welcome to operate at farmer’s markets. No additional permitting is generally required. However, if your mobile is licensed in a different state, or if you plan to set up a booth outside of your mobile, a Temporary Food Service permit is required.
How do I start a farmer's market?
Farmer’s markets must be authorized by the Missoula County Commissioners or the Missoula City Council. Please contact us if you are interested in starting a farmer’s market.
Farm Stands
A farm stand is a food stand owned and operated by a farmer. Food sold at farm stands do not need any permit or review from our department, but there are limitations on what food can be sold.
You can sell the following foods at your farm stand:
- Homemade foods with no meat
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Whole shell eggs
- Plain hot coffee and hot tea (no dairy)
- The homemade food cannot contain any meat.
- Food must be completely made and packaged at home. You cannot make, prepare, or package food at the farm stand. This includes pouring drinks or cutting slices.
- You must inform customers that your food is homemade and "is not licensed, permitted, certified, packaged, labeled, or inspected per any official regulations." You can inform customers verbally, with a sign, or with a label on the product.
Make sure the eggs are clean, free of cracks, and keep them stored in clean cartons at 45ºF or below.
If your farm stand will be within Missoula city limits, contact the Planning & Land Use Zoning Department at (406)552-6625 and Business Licensing at (406)552-6060.
If your farm stand will be outside the city limits in Missoula County, contact the Land Use Desk at (406)258-4642.
You can make and sell hot coffee or hot tea at your farm stand. However, you are not allowed to provide or include fresh milk or cream. You can provide a shelf-stable creamer.
The fruits and vegetables must be whole and not processed in any way. This includes peeling, cutting, preserving (except for drying whole), cooking, or canning. You must be a licensed Mushroom Vendor to sell wild mushrooms. (Mushroom Plan Review Application)