Vegetables

Fresh whole vegetables, microgreens and what changes once they’re cut or processed

No permitWhole, uncut veg at markets

No sproutsNeed a commercial license

Cut greensBarred under cottage rules

MicrogreensAg product if not ready-to-eat

1What’s covered & what needs more

Covered under this path

Fresh whole vegetables, minimally rinsed — no health-department permit
Field-harvested microgreens (or cut on site at the market) if not sold ready-to-eat
Frozen/dried/blanched-and-frozen greens, pickles, kraut, salsa → cottage rules
Fresh-cut/spiralized vegetables under cottage rules if kept ≤ 41°F (not tomato, not leafy greens)

Needs a different path

Sprouts → must be grown and sold by a commercially licensed vendor (special process under FDA)
Cut leafy greens (salad mixes) → prohibited under cottage law unless dehydrated, acidified or blanched-and-frozen
Cut or puréed fresh tomato → prohibited; dehydrated tomato prohibited
Cooked vegan meals/soups → TCS foods, ≤ 41°F or lab-verified
Farms above produce-safety thresholds → FSMA Produce Safety Rule

2Three steps to compliant sales

Whole and uncut = simple

Whole, uncut, only minimally rinsed vegetables can be sold at farmers markets without a permit. Display your farm address; sell by weight on a legal-for-trade scale or by count.

Know the cut-produce rules

Once cut, vegetables become TCS food: hold ≤ 41°F. Under cottage law, cut leafy greens and cut/puréed tomato are barred; sprouts are barred and need a commercial license.

Check FSMA coverage

Farms averaging about $25,000 or less in produce sales (inflation-adjusted) are outside the Produce Safety Rule. Larger farms need GAP training and standards. The FDA traceability rule compliance date is July 20, 2028.

3Quick-reference table

Item	Rule	Regulator
Permit	Whole, uncut, unprocessed vegetables exempt from inspection/license fees; verify sampling & local rules.	Local health dept
Sprouts	Commercial license required; prohibited under cottage law.	IDPH / FDA
Cut leafy greens	Cottage: prohibited unless dehydrated, acidified or blanched-and-frozen.	IDPH
Origin labeling	Placard/label/packing slip with farm name & address.	IDPH / FDA
Weights & measures	Legal-for-trade scale; approved method of sale.	IDOA

4Frequently asked

Can I sell salad mix made from my lettuce?

Not as a cottage food (cut leafy greens are prohibited). Harvest-cut microgreens or baby greens that have only had the harvest cut are fine.

Can I sell microgreens?

Yes, as an agricultural product, if field-harvested (or cut on site) and not sold as ready-to-eat.

Can I make and sell vegan soup?

It’s a TCS food: allowed as a cottage food only if kept ≤ 41°F (or shown non-hazardous by testing).

Do I need a special license for sprouts?

Yes — a commercial license, because sprouting is a special process under FDA rules.

Printable checklist

Origin placard at every stand and online listing
Legal-for-trade scale or count-based sales
Cut vegetables ≤ 41°F; no cut leafy greens/tomato from cottage kitchen
Sprouts only with commercial license
Sampler certificate or local permit before sampling
Check FSMA Produce Safety coverage
Register with IDOR; grocery tax by delivery address
Cottage registration for pickles, kraut, frozen items

Sales tax: Groceries: Illinois’ 1% state grocery tax ended Jan 1, 2026, but many cities and counties (Chicago included) now levy their own 1% local grocery tax — check the rate for each delivery address. Register with the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) through MyTax Illinois.