HOUSE ENROLLED ACT No. 1424
- Jessica Shafer
- Mar 12
- 2 min read
What the law means in simple terms:
Starting July 1, 2026, if someone qualifies as a:
Homestead vendor (someone selling food from their home property or farmers market), or
Small farm (a farm selling its own products)
they are exempt from most state and local health department food regulations.
That means they do NOT need:
food establishment permits
kitchen inspections
licensing from the health department
many building code requirements for small farm stands
As long as:
They sell directly to the consumer
They make under $1.5 million per year in food sales
They follow labeling requirements
They sell only within Indiana
Local governments cannot add extra rules unless required by federal law.
Where they can sell
They can sell:
On their own property
At a farmers market
They must sell directly to the end customer (not wholesale to stores).
Items that can be sold
The law lists the allowed categories.
1. Meat products
If the animals are:
raised by the seller
slaughtered and processed legally
properly labeled
Allowed meats include:
cattle (beef)
sheep (lamb)
swine (pork)
bison
poultry (chicken, turkey, etc.)
goats
rabbit
2. Prepared foods
This is a major expansion compared to previous cottage food laws.
Examples could include:
baked goods
pies
breads
cookies
cakes
prepared meals
cooked foods
3. Candy
Examples:
fudge
chocolates
caramels
brittle
toffee
homemade candy
4. Produce
Any fruits or vegetables grown or harvested.
Examples:
tomatoes
lettuce
herbs
apples
berries
pumpkins
mushrooms (if legal)
5. Natural sweeteners
Examples:
honey
maple syrup
sorghum syrup
agave
6. Fruit spreads
Examples:
jam
jelly
preserves
fruit butter
marmalade
Labeling requirements
Packaged items must include:
Producer name
Producer address
Ingredients list
Product description
Allergen warning
Statement:
“This product was produced by a homestead vendor or the owner of a small farm that is exempt from government licensing and inspection.”
Shipping rules
Without a food handler certificate:
No shipping or delivery allowed
With a food handler certificate:
You can ship or deliver within Indiana only
Shipping outside Indiana is illegal.
Important impact (why this law matters)
This law is very significant because it:
Expands cottage food laws
Allows prepared foods
Allows meat sales from small farms
Limits health department control
Supports farmers markets and direct farm sales
It’s one of the most permissive local food laws in the U.S.
Why farmers markets are paying attention
This could change how markets operate because:
Vendors may not need permits
Health department rules may not apply
Markets may have to set their own safety standards
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