Selling Raw Milk is now legal in many US states. Despite continuing debate around the world about the safety of consuming raw milk, the USA is making good progress making this popular food available to all.
Each state that allows the sale of raw milk has it’s own legislation governing the distribution channel through which consumers can buy their raw milk. This is because they want to keep some control over the marketing and availability of this controversial product:
We have focused in the sale of raw cow’s milk although most states that allow for the sale of raw cow’s milk also allow the sale of raw goat’s milk.
The three ways you may be able to source your raw milk are:
In-Store retail
Retail directly from producing farms
Direct from producing farms via Cow or Herd Sharing
Raw Milk Sales through In-Store Retail
Some states allows for unfettered access to raw milk in any retail store
Raw Milk Sales Directly from Producing Farms
Some states limit the sale of raw milk to the producer’s farm. This means they can sell it directly on the farm and at a farmer’s market. Some states also allow delivery of raw milk directly from the producing farm to the consumer.
Raw Milk Sales Directly from Producing Farms via Cow Sharing
Under a cow (or herd) share system, consumers can take on a share of the animal’s care and upkeep costs, and in exchange they get a share in the cow’s production giving them access to that cows (or herds) raw milk.
| State | Retail Outlet Sales | Other Type of Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | No - except as approved by Administrator in an emergency |
| Alabama | Yes | No - except as approved by Administrator in an emergency |
| Alaska | No | No |
| Arizona | Yes | Sale as commercial feed - if meets Grade A standards or is "decharacterized." A.A.C. R3-3-904 |
| Arkansas | No | Yes - sold directly from farms producing up to 500 gallons per month, with labeling and state inspection - A.C.A. § 20-59-248(b) |
| California | Yes | Yes |
| Colorado | No | Yes - cow/goat shares expressly allowed |
| Connecticut | Yes | Yes |
| Delaware | No | Not addressed |
| Florida | No | Not addressed |
| Georgia | No | The sale of raw milk cheese properly processed and aged according to Federal requirements is legal. The sale of raw milk for animal consumption is legal if the distributor is licensed under the commercial feed laws. The Georgia Department of Agriculture currently has several distributors of raw goat milk for pet food under license. |
| Hawaii | No | Not addressed |
| Idaho | Yes | Cow share programs also permitted. ID ADC 02.04.13.050. |
| Illinois | No | Sale from farm of raw milk produced in accordance with production regulations allowed. |
| Indiana | No | No |
| Iowa | No | No |
| Kansas | No | Yes - on farm sales of raw milk allowed with limitations on promotion of such sale. |
| Kentucky | No | Yes - unpasteurized goat milk may be sold with doctor's recommendation. |
| Louisiana | No | No |
| Maine | Yes | Yes - but not at eating establishments. |
| Maryland | No | No |
| Massachusetts | No | Yes (on-farm sales only) |
| Michigan | No | No, but cowshare agreements are apparently permitted per informal AG opinion. |
| Minnesota | No | Yes - occasional sales from farm or place where milk is produced directly to consumer are allowed. |
| Mississippi | No | Yes - incidental sales of raw goat milk from farms with fewer than 9 goats directly to the consumer acceptable. Advertising of such sales not permitted. |
| Missouri | No | Yes - statute allows for sale and delivery of raw milk directly from farm to final consumer. |
| Montana | No | No |
| Nebraska | No | Yes - sales on farm allowed |
| Nevada | Yes | Yes |
| New Hampshire | Yes | Yes |
| New Jersey | No | No |
| New Mexico | Yes | Yes |
| New York | No | Yes - sales on farm allowed |
| North Carolina | No | Yes - for animal feed if clearly marked as such. |
| North Dakota | No | No |
| Ohio | No | No |
| Oklahoma | No | Yes - sales on farm allowed |
| Oregon | Limited | Yes (small farm exception). Only goat milk is allowed at retail off farm. |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | Yes |
| Rhode Island | No | Yes - raw goat milk may be sold directly to consumer w/ doctor's prescription. |
| South Carolina | Limited | Yes. Allows sale of raw milk both on and off the farm and at a farmers’ market if a permit is obtained. Farmers must provide retail stores with a warning plaque to be displayed in front of the raw milk. |
| South Dakota | No | Yes - purchase at farm and delivery direct from farm to consumer excepted from regulations. |
| Tennessee | No | Yes (cowshares are legal) |
| Texas | No | Yes - sales on farm allowed. |
| Utah | Limited | Yes - sales on farm allowed. Requires the store to be owned by the producer (can be located off of the farm). Cow shares prohibited. |
| Vermont | No | Yes - sales on farm or through delivery direct from farm to consumer for personal consumption allowed through a two tier system. |
| Virginia | No | No |
| Washington | Yes | Yes (cowshares allowed if licensed by the Washington Department of Agriculture) |
| West Virginia | No | No |
| Wisconsin | No | Yes - allows incidental sales directly to consumer at farm where produced. |
| Wyoming | No | Cow/goat shares are allowed, but not sale of raw dairy products on the farm or in stores. |