Find the right kitchen space for your needs
Kitchen facilities fall into two basic categories – those that are licensed and those that are not licensed.
- Licensed kitchens — facilities have been inspected by the Minneapolis Health Department and are certified to meet specific local, state, and federal food safety requirements According to the City of Minneapolis, a community kitchen is defined as "an approved facility licensed as a food manufacturer that may be used by licensed businesses for commercial purpose.
- Unlicensed kitchens — facilities used by community members for cooking non-commercial or exempt foods or for cooking classes and/or other related activities." (Minneapolis Code of Ordinances 186.50).
Licensed kitchen
You must use a license kitchen if:
- You are preparing food for a public event, farmers market, or food truck under a market manufacturer/distributor permit, food truck license, short term food permit, or seasonal short term food permit
- This applies to all food storage and preparation conducted offsite for the event.
- In this case, you do not have to have your own license, but the kitchen must be licensed.
- You are preparing food to sell to the public outside of a public event or farmers market, including online sales, wholesale, or catering.
- In this case, you must obtain the license at the kitchen.
Unlicensed kitchen
You may use an unlicensed kitchen if:
- You are preparing food for a public event or farmers market which meets the requirements of the Minnesota Cottage Food Law (M.S. 28A.152), educational cooking classes and demonstrations, or personal use (such as preserving large amounts of produce.)
If you are unsure about the type of kitchen you need, please call 311.
Shared licensed kitchens
The licensed kitchens below lease and market their space to individuals, groups, or businesses.
| Name | Address | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Food Studio | 3722 Chicago Avenue South | (612) 315-3399 | www.cityfoodstudio.com/ |
| Dots Gray | 208 N 29th Ave | (612) 232-6310 | www.dotsgray.com |
| Grace Center for Community Life | 1500 Sixth Street NE | (612) 788-2444 | www.gracectr.org |
| Kitchen Space | 5750 Lyndale Ave S | (312) 339-3759 | www.kitchenspacemn.com |
Almost all licensed kitchens in Minneapolis (such as those in restaurants) could be used as a kitchen for another food business, as long as the kitchen is in good standing with the Minneapolis Health Department and has the capacity for additional food prep and storage. For more information, please call 311.
Community kitchens
Additional resources
Food Safety
- Minneapolis food safety materials
- University of Minnesota Extension Food Safety website
Cooking Classes
- The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board offers food-related classes. Find out about classes near you on the MPRB events calendar.
Minnesota Cottage Food Law (The "Pickle Bill")
- Minnesota's Cottage Food Law allows an individual who prepares non-potentially hazardous foods in an unlicensed kitchen to sell products from the home, at farmers markets, community events, or on the internet.
- If you are operating under the Minnesota Cottage Food Law, you are required to:
- Register with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. The City of Minneapolis does not accept applications.
- Complete required food handling training
Access a guidance list of non-potentially hazardous foods from the Minnesota Cottage Food Producer’s Association.
Find cottage food registration information from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.