Home-Based Vendor and Farmers Market Requirements
Home-Based Vendors
Home-Based Vendors who operate in Porter County are required to register with the Porter County Health Department Foods Division. There is no fee for this registration.
Home-Based Vendors must obtain a Food Handler Certificate as required by HEA 1149.
Click here (p.11-16) for a complete list of foods that are allowed to be produced by a HBV per the Indiana Home-Based Vendor Handbook 2025.
- HB 1149 - Home Based Vendors
- Indiana Home-Based Vendor Handbook 2025
- ANSI-Certified Food Handler Certificate Courses
A Home-Based Vendor:
- May prepare and sell certain food products that do not present a significant public health risk without permitting or inspection.
- Must only produce their goods at their primary residence.
- Must practice proper food safety procedures, including proper hand washing, sanitation of food contact surfaces, and safe storage of food product, including protection during display and service.
- May only sell their food products within the state of Indiana and only directly to the consumer.
- May accept pre-orders provided the consumer take possession of the food at a Farmers Market or Roadside Stand.
- May not sell food at any other retail venue (grocery stores, restaurants, fairs etc.)
- May not sell food with the intent to have their product resold.
- Must be designated as either a Home-Based Vendor or a Retail Food Establishment – not both.
Labeling Requirements
All Home-Based Vendor food products must have proper labeling which states:
- Producer’s name and address
- Common name of food product
- Ingredients of food product
- Net weight and volume
- Date food product was processed
- The following statement in at least 10 point type: “This product is home produced and processed and the production area has not been inspected by the State Department of Health.”
Note: This labeling must be present with and/or on the food at the point of sale regardless of whether or not the food is packaged. Unpackaged food, such as some baked goods, will be considered labeled when there is easily readable signage accompanying the food product stating all of the above listed items. Labeling is not required for whole, uncut produce.
TCS and Non-HBV Food Products
Time-temperature Control for Safety foods (TCS) are not permitted to be prepared by HBVs due to the inherent risks of pathogenic microorganism growth associated with water activity and pH interactions.
Click here (p.18-21) for a full list of TCS foods that not allowed to be prepared by HBVs per the Indiana Home-Based Vendor Handbook 2025.
The following categories of products may not be produced by HBV products:
- Raw or Cooked Animal Protein (meats & tallow)
- Prepared Foods (casseroles, charcuterie boards, fruit salads, lasagna, ready-made meals, etc.)
- Dairy Products (excluding commercial dairy products intended to be used only as an ingredient)
- Products using cut leafy greens as an ingredient (kimchi, salad, sauerkraut, etc.)
Porter County Health Department may inspect food products and/or labeling to ensure that the Home-Based Vendor is maintaining their exemption status.
Foods that are not covered within the scope of the Home-Based Vendor Rule shall be produced by a permitted operator within a Food Establishment inspected by a local health department or the Indiana Department of Health.
It is the responsibility of each HBV to thoroughly read House Enrolled Act 1149 to ensure that products prepared within their primary residence kitchen comply with Indiana law.
- HB 1149 - Home Based Vendors
- Indiana Home-Based Vendor Handbook 2025
- ANSI-Certified Food Handler Certificate Courses
Farmers Markets
Farmers Markets are locations or events where local farmers sell a variety of fruits, vegetables and other farm products to the public. In addition to produce, you may find other food products like honey, ciders, cheese, eggs, and meat from local producers.
The Porter County Health Department Food Service Division conducts inspections during the market season to ensure food safety and permitting requirements are met.
Vendors offering only whole, uncut fruits and vegetables, honey and syrup, and other very low risk foods are exempt from permitting as a Retail Food Establishment.
Market Masters
Click here for a Farmers Market Registration Application packet.
A Market Master is an individual or group of individuals that are responsible for coordinating and organizing the Farmers Market.
Market Masters must register a Farmers Market with the Porter County Health Department Food Service Division at least 30 days prior to the first date of operation.
The registration must include a list of all food vendors participating at the farmers market, including not-for-profit organizations, farmers and Home-Based vendors. This registration allows the Food Service Division to ensure that the food vendors participating at the market are made aware of local permitting requirements, state and local food codes and guidelines, and exempt food vendors follow food safety guidelines. There is no charge for the registration.
It is the responsibility of the Market Master to ensure their food vendors obtain approval by the Health Department prior to operating at their event.
Food vendors meeting the definition of a “food establishment” are required to obtain a food permit by the Porter County Health Department, and application must be made at least 7 days prior to operating at the Farmers Market.
A Home-Based Vendor is not required to obtain a food permit, but still needs to register with the Market Master and must be included on the food vendor list.
We request that you inform all food vendors participating at the event to contact the Porter County Health Department Food Service Division, at 219-465-3525 option 4, for information on food permitting and food safety requirements and guidelines.
For additional food code and permitting requirements for regulated food establishments operating at farmers markets, refer to the Temporary Event and Mobile Unit and Pushcart webpages.