2025 Farmers Market

​Join us for the weekly Melrose Community Farmers Market held each Wednesday, June 4th through October 1st! Baked good, local produce, crafts and more. 

Interested in becoming a vendor? Click below to view the registration form.
Background:
  • The Cottage Food Law allows for individuals to make and sell certain non-potentially hazardous food and canned goods in Minnesota without a license. This law, the Cottage Food Exemption, went into effect in 2015 and includes details on the prior training and registration, types of food allowed, food labeling, types of sales locations, and amount of sales allowed by a cottage food producer. Additional legislative changes took place took place in 2021-2022. Key changes included:
  • Increasing the sales cap per registered individual to $78,000.
  • Increasing the Tier 1 sales cap (exempt from registration fee) to $7,665.
  • Adding home processed pet treats for dogs and cats only as an allowed cottage food.
  • Allowing individuals to organize their cottage food business as a business entity recognized by state law.
  • Requiring the label to include the name and registration number OR the name and address; and the statement, “These products are homemade and not subject to state inspection”.
If you would like to become a registered cottage food producer in Minnesota, please review the information below.
Cottage food producers must do the following:
  1. Register with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) each year before selling food under the cottage food exemption, regardless of the amount of food sold.
    • Tier 1:  For gross annual sales of $7,665 or less, complete an online training and exam each year before registering or renewing.
    • Tier 2:  For gross annual sales of $7,666 - $78,000, take an approved food safety course once every three years while actively selling cottage food.
  2. Prepare and sell only non-potentially hazardous food (such as baked goods, certain jams and jellies) and/or home canned pickles, vegetables, or fruits with a pH of 4.6 or lower OR a water activity of 0.85 or less.
  3. Label product with your full name OR business name, address OR cottage food registration number, the date on which the food was produced, the ingredients (including potential allergens for human foods) and the statement, "These products are homemade and not subject to state inspection”.
  4. Display a clearly legible sign or placard at the point of sale that says, “These products are homemade and not subject to state inspection.” If you are selling on the internet, post this statement on your webpage.
  5. Deliver food directly to the ultimate consumer. The cottage food producer or their employee must be physically present during product sale or delivery. Cottage pet treats may be shipped in the mail or by commercial delivery to the end consumer.
  6. Sell from a private home, farmers’ market, community event, or on the internet. Cottage pet treats may also be shipped in the mail or by commercial delivery to the end consumer. Cottage food intended for humans cannot be shipped.
  7. Check with your local city, county, or township regarding business licensing or sales prohibitions due to zoning requirements.
  8. Sell $78,000 or less in a calendar year. This number should reflect your gross annual sales. If you sell between $7,666 and $78,000 dollars per year (Tier 2), a $50 fee applies to your registration.
Please be aware that these sales are subject to income tax and may be subject to sales tax. Contact the Minnesota Department of Revenue for more information at
651-556-3000.

Power of Produce Program Sponsored by CentraCare Melrose  

The Power of Produce (PoP) Club is a farmers markets incentive program for children. It is offered at farmers markets throughout the nation. Each week, children ages
​4 to 12 receive a $2 token to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables. Just stop by the host table to register and get your token! 

A BIG THANK YOU TO

FOR SPONSORING THE PoP PROGRAM!!

Location

Sauk River Park
​206 5th Ave NE Melrose, MN 56352

Friends of the Market Membership

$40.00
Shop

Look what is NEW!
​Friends of the MARKET MEMBERSHIP

Mission
The mission of the Friends of the Market Membership is to aid in LIVE MUSIC and EXTRA activities for KIDS at the Farmers Market while parents' shop. It will aid in helping our Farmers Market growth in our community.

Vision
A healthy community that supports sustainable agriculture and the family farming community while having a few extra's.

Goals
* Encourage healthy and sustainable food choices
* Advocate for the Market as a key connection between local farmers and their customers
* Bring recommendations from the perspective of the customers and community to improve the overall quality of the marketplace
* Promote local food production, sale, and consumption from a sustainable marketplace

Promote Health
Educate adults and children about the health benefits of eating fresh, local, healthy foods through increased access to farmers markets. 
​
Boost the Economy
Strive to increase the amount of Link dollars spent, boosting the earnings of local Melrose Area farmers, and keep “local dollars local,” thus supporting the local economy. 

Gallery of Past & Present Vendors