Fruits

Fresh whole fruit sold direct from the farm or stand

Farm Exempt
0state license for raw whole fruit
GAPpractices recommended, not mandated
Farmexemption applies statewide
INno cap on in-state sales

What's Covered  /  What Needs a Different Path

✓ Covered here

  • Fresh, whole, uncut fruit sold direct to consumers at the farm, a stand, or a farmers market
  • Minimally handled fruit (washed, sorted, bagged) with no cutting or processing
  • U-pick and farm-stand sales of raw seasonal fruit

✗ Needs a different path

  • Cut fruit, fruit salad, or juiced fruit (becomes a TCS food – see Beverages/Preserves)
  • Dried fruit (see Dried Goods) and jams/preserves (see Preserves)
  • Wholesale distribution to grocers without a produce dealer registration

Three Steps to Compliance

A

Sell it whole and raw

Whole, uncut fresh fruit sold direct to the end consumer is farm-exempt and needs no ISDH food license.

B

Follow good agricultural practices

Voluntary GAP guidance from Purdue Extension covers wash water, sanitation, and harvest handling to reduce contamination risk.

C

Label origin if packaged

If you bag or box fruit, note your farm name and location; formal nutrition labeling isn't required for whole raw produce.

Quick Reference

ItemRuleRegulator
Whole, uncut fresh fruitNo license – farm exemptISDH (no jurisdiction)
Cut or juiced fruitTCS food rules applyISDH / IC 16-42-5.4
Good Agricultural PracticesVoluntary but recommendedPurdue Extension / USDA GAP
Wholesale to grocersProduce dealer registrationIndiana Dept. of Agriculture

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to sell apples at my farm stand?

No – whole, uncut fresh fruit sold direct to consumers is exempt from Indiana food-establishment licensing.

What about pre-cut melon?

Cut fruit is a temperature-control-for-safety food and needs to follow the Homestead Vendor TCS pathway, not the farm exemption.

Do I need GAP certification to sell at a market?

Not legally required for direct farm sales, but some markets and larger buyers ask for GAP practices or certification.

Can I sell fruit online with in-state shipping?

Yes, whole fresh fruit can generally be sold and delivered within Indiana; check with your carrier on perishable shipping practices.

Printable Checklist

Sell fruit whole and uncut wherever possible
Follow basic GAP wash/sanitation practices
Label farm name/location on packaged fruit
Route cut or juiced fruit to the correct TCS category
Get a produce dealer registration for wholesale
Keep harvest and handling records