No, your homemade pickle is not illegal in Montana. The state embraces food freedom under the Montana Local Food Choice Act (SB 199), allowing broad home production and direct sales of many foods, including pickled goods, without licenses or inspections.​
Cottage Food Rules
Producers can make and sell pickles, canned items, and other non-meat products from home kitchens directly to consumers at events like farmers’ markets or from private residences, as long as buyers know the food is unregulated. No sales limits or permits apply statewide.​
Pickle Restrictions
Certain pickles—like salsas, fermented types, or those needing refrigeration—may require commercial licensing if sold at specific markets with stricter rules, but home use or compliant direct sales remain legal. Meat-containing products are excluded.
SOURCES
[1](https://forrager.com/law/montana/)
[2](https://ij.org/issues/economic-liberty/homemade-food-seller/montana/)
[3](https://gallatinvalleyfarmersmarket.com/the-montana-local-food-choice-act/)
[4](https://farmcommons.org/food-freedom-unleashed-in-montana/)
[5](https://dphhs.mt.gov/assets/publichealth/FCS/CottageFood/10.1.23FarmersMarketGuidance.pdf)
