How to Sell Food From Home in Indiana: Step-by-Step Launch Guide

You've been selling banana bread to coworkers for years. Now you want to do it legally — charge real money, sell at the farmers market, maybe take orders online. Indiana makes this straightforward if you follow the steps in order.

Here's the exact sequence to go from home kitchen to your first legal sale.

Step 1: Check Your Product

Before anything else, determine whether your food qualifies for home-based production. Under Indiana's former HBV law, in effect through June 30, 2026, you could sell non-TCS (shelf-stable) foods: baked goods, candy, honey, high-acid jams, dry herbs, dry noodles. Perishable items like cream-filled cakes, fresh salsa, and meat products were off-limits; the Homestead law effective July 1, 2026 permits them for qualifying vendors, subject to its livestock and processing conditions for meat.

If your product has a questionable shelf-stability profile — a custom frosting, a low-sugar preserve, a flavored oil — get it tested. Purdue University Food Science Department provides water activity and pH testing. A result showing pH below 4.6 or water activity below 0.85 gives you documented proof your product is non-TCS.

Step 2: Verify Zoning

Contact your local municipal planning commission or county zoning administrator. Ask specifically whether your residential address allows home-based commercial food production. Some municipalities require a Home Occupation Permit. HOA covenants may impose additional restrictions.

Get the zoning clearance in writing before you invest in packaging and supplies.

Step 3: Complete Food Handler Training When Required

If you operate under the former HBV rules—or ship or deliver under the current Homestead framework—enroll in an ANSI-accredited food handler course. ServSafe online is the fastest and cheapest route — about $15, 90 minutes, certificate issued immediately upon passing the exam with a 75% score. Under the former HBV rules, file a copy with your county health department.

Step 4: Register for Sales Tax

Apply for a Registered Retail Merchant Certificate through the INTIME portal (intime.dor.in.gov). The fee is $26 ($25 base + $1 online fee). Your digital certificate number arrives in 1 to 3 business days; the physical certificate for display comes by mail in 7 to 10 days.

This authorizes you to collect and remit Indiana's 7% sales tax on all prepared food sales.

Step 5: Set Up Your Labels

Every product must carry:

• The applicable statutory disclaimer in 10-point type
• Complete ingredient list
• Allergen declarations (the eight major allergens)
• Net weight
• Processing date
• Your physical address

Get your label layout finalized before your first sale. A missing allergen declaration or an absent applicable disclaimer means you're selling outside the legal exemption.

Step 6: Consider an LLC and Insurance

Neither is legally required, but both are strongly recommended. An Indiana LLC costs a $95 base filing fee online through INBiz (about $97.04 with the card surcharge; processed in about one business day). Product liability insurance through programs like FLIP starts around $25.92/month for $2 million coverage — and most farmers market organizers require a certificate before they'll let you set up.

Step 7: Start Selling

You're legal to sell face-to-face at your home, roadside stands, and farmers markets. You can take orders online and by phone, and deliver or ship within Indiana state lines. Under the former HBV rules, shippers kept delivery address records for at least one year; under the Homestead law, the shipper or deliverer must hold an ANSI certificate instead.

File your sales tax returns through INTIME on whatever schedule the Department of Revenue assigns you (monthly, quarterly, or annually). File zero returns during inactive periods — skipping a filing can trigger permit revocation.

The complete launch sequence, including county-specific registration requirements and labeling templates for both the former HBV and current 2026 Homestead frameworks, is in the Indiana Cottage Food & Home Food Business Guide.

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