How to sell a food product

[Mermaid02]

I make this really yummy cheese spread (my own creation) it's the thing that people are always asking me to bring to functions and parties..... I have been thinking about making it to sell for a while. Has anyone done this? Where do you start?

 

[prncess674]

Well to legally sell you would need a second kitchen. You can sell it to friends and family as a favor but trying to run it out of your house you need a separate kitchen.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

When we have craft shows, there is always a table or two of someone with their homemade spread. I believe they just rent a space like a regular crafter.

Also--local farms that prepare honey or baked goods--often sell to produce market stores.

You just have to make sure you are following your state laws for food prep.

I know some underground bakers--but legally, in Florida--they shouldn't be selling cakes b/c they do not have a commercial kitchen. But they do it by word of mouth. I know 2 locally and my mom will also sell wedding cakes underground.

I have no idea if the requirement is the same for something such as a food spread, though in our state.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I NY you have to have an inspected commercial kitchen used to prepare the foods in question (or have access to one to prepare the foods - in Syracuse there is a local test kitchen used by people to develop recipes etc). My parent's used to know someone who made soups, they developed the recipe, but outsourced the actual preparation because it was cheaper then creating a commercial kitchen that had to go through regular inspections, etc.

Each state is different though.

 

[Acklander]

What you might want to do is see if there is a co-op in your area. This is where a commercial kitchen is used by many people who will rent it for a day so they can be in compliance with health code laws. They also have commercial size equipment that you can use so you can do large batches at a time.

 

[monkeybug]

I sell baked goods at craft fairs, food fairs and the farmers market from time to time. No special license or anything needed.
You may also be able to take samples to local delis and stores and see if they would like to carry it, but you would need to check what your local laws are regarding that sort of thing.

 

[Mermaid02]

Thanks guys!

 

[Robinrs]

I had a cookie business where I sold to co workers. It was a side thing that made me about a $100 a week. I never registered it, just did it on my own, also sold them on eBay. On eBay you had to reveal all of the ingredients, at least when I used to do it.

 

[mykidsand_i]

In many states you must have an 'approved kitchen' in order to sell products that you make. Even our farmers markets here have to be 'approved' to sell any preped food.