Minnesota direct-to-consumer guide, 2026

Fruits

Fresh fruit and berries sold by the grower.

Farm Exempt
$25,000Produce Safety Rule: farms at or below are not covered
$500,000Qualified exemption ceiling
0Food handler license for your own whole fruit
0%Sales tax on fresh fruit

What is covered and what needs a different path

What’s covered

  • Whole fresh fruit you grow, sold direct or at markets
  • Washed, uncut berries and orchard fruit
  • Selling by weight with a legal-for-trade scale

Needs a different path

  • Cut, peeled, or juiced fruit (license needed)
  • Buying produce from other farms to resell without the right license
  • Jams and dried fruit (see Preserves and Dried Goods)

Three compliance steps

A

Know your Produce Safety Rule status

Farms averaging $25,000 or less in produce sales are not covered. Under $500,000 you may qualify for an exemption with records. Others follow the full rule.

B

Keep fruit whole and clean

Wash and handle fruit with sanitary practices. Cutting or juicing makes you a processor.

C

Weigh right and label

Use a legal-for-trade scale for sales by weight. Tell customers the farm name and location. Fresh fruit is exempt from sales tax.

Quick reference

ItemRuleRegulator
LicensingProducers selling their own farm or garden product are generally excludedMDA
Produce Safety RuleNot covered at or under $25,000 average sales; qualified exemption under $500,000MDA, FDA
Cut or juiced fruitLicensed food processor neededMDA
ScalesLegal for trade for sales by weightMN Commerce
Sales taxFresh fruit is exempt foodMN Revenue

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a license to sell apples at the farm?

MDA says producers selling a product of their own farm or garden are generally excluded from licensing.

Can I sell washed and sliced apples?

No. Cutting is processing and needs a licensed facility.

Do I need Produce Safety training?

Only if you are covered or claim a qualified exemption; MDA’s Produce Safety Program can confirm.

Printable checklist

  • Confirm Produce Safety Rule status
  • Fruit grown on your farm only
  • Legal-for-trade scale
  • Clean harvest and handling
  • Farm name and location on signage
  • No cutting or juicing without a license

Scale authority (Commerce) and dollar thresholds follow federal and state guidance; not re-read on the MDA page.