Vegetables

Fresh whole vegetables sold direct from the farm

Farm Exempt
0state license for raw whole vegetables
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 vegetables sold direct to consumers at the farm, stand, or farmers market
  • Minimally handled vegetables (washed, sorted, bagged) with no cutting
  • U-pick and CSA-style sales of raw seasonal vegetables

✗ Needs a different path

  • Cut vegetables, including cut leafy greens (a listed TCS item requiring the Homestead Vendor pathway)
  • Home-canned low-acid vegetables sold as shelf-stable products (see Canned Goods)
  • Wholesale distribution to grocers without a produce dealer registration

Three Steps to Compliance

A

Sell it whole and raw

Whole, uncut fresh vegetables sold direct to the end consumer are farm-exempt and need 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

Route cut/leafy items correctly

Cut vegetables and cut leafy greens are TCS foods under the 2026 Homestead Vendor law, not the farm exemption – handle and label them accordingly.

Quick Reference

ItemRuleRegulator
Whole, uncut fresh vegetablesNo license – farm exemptISDH (no jurisdiction)
Cut vegetables / cut leafy greensHomestead Vendor TCS pathwayIC 16-42-5.4
Home-canned low-acid vegetablesFDA LACF facility registrationFDA 21 CFR 113
Wholesale to grocersProduce dealer registrationIndiana Dept. of Agriculture

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

What about pre-cut salad greens?

Cut leafy greens are specifically called out as a TCS item and need the Homestead Vendor pathway, including refrigeration and a food handler cert.

Can I can and sell green beans?

Not under cottage law – plain low-acid canned vegetables need a facility registered under federal low-acid canned food rules.

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.

Printable Checklist

Sell vegetables whole and uncut wherever possible
Follow basic GAP wash/sanitation practices
Route cut vegetables/leafy greens to the Homestead TCS pathway
Keep low-acid canned vegetables out of cottage sales
Label farm name/location on packaged produce
Get a produce dealer registration for wholesale