For Michigan farmers
Selling direct from a Michigan farm
Michigan farms sell direct through farmers markets, farm stands, CSAs, restaurants, and online. What you need before you sell depends on the product: whole, uncut fruits and vegetables have the fewest requirements, while eggs, meat and poultry, dairy, and processed foods each have their own licensing or inspection rules from MDARD or the USDA.
Last reviewed September 25, 2026
Who regulates what you sell
A map of where each product's rules live, with links to the source. The details are in each agency's own guidance.
Whole, uncut fruits and vegetables
FDA (Produce Safety Rule) · MDARD for sales to restaurants
The lightest requirements of anything a farm sells. Restaurants can buy whole, uncut produce straight from a farm.
Eggs
MDARD
Rules depend on flock size and on how the eggs are sold, and online sales are treated differently from in-person sales. Check before listing.
Meat and poultry
USDA FSIS · MDARD
Where the animal is processed (USDA-inspected or custom-exempt) decides how the meat can be sold.
Cottage foods (baked goods, jams, and similar)
MDARD Cottage Food
Non-hazardous foods from a home kitchen, with limits on where and how they can be sold.
Other processed or value-added foods
MDARD
Generally needs a food establishment license and a licensed kitchen.
This page is a starting map, not legal advice. Confirm licensing with MDARD (800-292-3939) before you sell anything beyond whole, uncut produce.
Direct-sale channels
- Farmers markets
- Good for meeting customers and testing prices, but you sell what you can carry on market day, and Michigan's outdoor season is short.
- Farm stands and u-pick
- Low overhead if you have road traffic. Depends on location and on someone being there.
- CSA
- Cash up front before the season, in exchange for committing to a weekly share whatever the weather does.
- Restaurants and chefs
- Steady volume at wholesale prices. Chefs want consistent quality, predictable delivery days, and clean invoices.
- Online, direct
- Orders arrive before harvest, so you pick to order. Buyers can set up standing orders that repeat every week.
Most small farms mix several. Chivle covers the online and restaurant side: your own storefront, standing orders, and payouts straight to your bank through Stripe. See pricing.
Sell to Michigan buyers on Chivle
The first 50 Michigan farms join as Founding Growers, with a year of zero platform fees.
Apply as a Founding Grower