Selling your specialties?

[dixieday2]

Have any home cooks out there "taken the plunge" and started selling any of their favorite homemade items? I'm an avid home baker and jam-maker, and have a local shop interested in potentially selling a few of my products; I'm also thinking about selling at some local farmers markets. However, I'm baffled by the maze of regulations out there--I know I'd need to use a commercial kitchen, but what else? Anyone that's done this, esp. in the NYC area, I'd love some advice!

[chocolate chick]

Yes, I have slowly developed an independent local dessert catering business. I make baked goods and confections. I use a commercial kitchen (that only charges me in product) and I have liability insurance. I also have a business name registered with the county. I sell to local stores and caterers. It has been a learning experience to say the least.

Good luck. It can be quite satisfying and rewarding.

[Elizzie]

How did you find the commercial kitchen?

[chocolate chick]

My very first client knew the caterer whose kitchen I use. They have a good relationship. However, he was already allowing someone else to use his kitchen one day a week (she also had a contact who knew this caterer). I am greatful to him and the whole kitchen staff has been super accommodating.

[free sample addict aka Tracy L]

I used to work for a woman who sold her own pasta sauce. I don't want to sound like a downer but it is a really tough business. First, you have to make a decision whether you want make the product yourself and use a commercial kitchen (as mentioned earlier) or have a company make the product for you. Next you have to decide whether it is more profitable to sell to smaller markets and specialty stores or sell to small (specialty) stores and larger grocery stores. Another problem she faced was delivery. She had lots of product but not enough to justify a delivery service so she either delivered the product herself or hired a delivery person to do it. She had a full time job which was great because she had cash to fund her project but she didn't have a lot of time to devote to marketing, distributing and overall management of the product. I'd check with your county as to health codes and business license requirements. Apparently, in my old bosses case they were really helpful in getting her started.

[jlawrence01]

In most municipalities, food sold commercially MUST be prepared in a licensed commercial license.

In many cases, it makes sense to have the product prepared by a contract manager as the creator of the ausce will need a whole lot of time to market the product.

[agentoffortune]

My daughter is a student at Delaware State University and told me they recently announced that they're going to be openning a kitchen incubator there on October 22, this year. It's geared towards helping entrepreneurs with culinary-related products bring their creations to the public. For example, she said one guy who's going to be using the rented kitchen space is a local farmer who grows peppers and makes homemade hot sauce. I don't know what access to the kitchen costs, but it sounds like a good concept.

[dfrostnh]

Don't forget to check the requirements about labeling and how to make labels. Last year I attended an outdoor event when it was raining. One booth/tent was selling bottled sauces but must have made the labels on an inkjet printer. All the labels were smeared.
I would check local adult ed programs to see if there are any about selling food commercially. Even though you are in NYC, I would check your county extension office for help. These are the people who used to teach home canning (probably still do in some areas) but they also have all sorts of information about everything having to do with food. It's possible that there is a help network specializing in commercial cooking. I would also check with SCORE (Senior Corps of Retired Executives) by calling the US SBA. Possibly they have a food specialist but all SCORE offices specialize in providing free help in starting your own business. Try their website for some specific questions. Your question will be routed to the best person to answer your question. I'm not in foods but my SCORE counselor used to sell mustard. Also check with the Dept of Agriculture for a list of farmer markets in your area. Some markets have meetings for members and help with marketing. You will also want to know their rules and regulations.
Then, also look into food trade shows. Getting in the first time might be difficult but there is probably one right in NYC. Actually, I just googled and you missed the one in July. Google "food trade show" because here is where you check out the competition, learn about food trends and take educational programs. You might not be interested in large scale production but there is probably no better way to learn the business and make contacts with jar manufacturers, wholesale suppliers for bags, ingredients, etc.
A friend has been content to stay small selling at one market and doing catering. She had a commercial kitchen installed in her basement and that was over 15 years ago. She's still at it.
Don't forget to learn the business part of it ... insurances, how to deal with customers who don't pay, etc. Good luck! One of the SCORE videos is about the guy who started Celestial Seasonings.

[JMF]

I developed some food products and then started a consulting business for the past few years helping farms and restaurants develop and make value added foods. I am just closing down my consulting business to move into the country and start a food production business. But can give a great tip. Contact the Food Entrepreneur Resource Center at Cornell University. They offer free consulting and help and very low cost testing of your products and then will help you develop them and with all paperwork. They have affiliates all over the country to help. They are probably the number one resource available for the small food business. Here's their website. Give them a call and they will mail you some great books about starting the business.

http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/necfe/index.html

Here is a long list of other resources I have put together over the past year.

Food Industry Resources
Food Marketing Institute (FMI
)800 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20006-2701
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
www.fmi.org
Grocery wholesalers and retail supermarkets only are eligible for membership. As a member of FMI, you have access to a vast array of services, programs and money-saving opportunities that can help you run a successful food distribution business. You have the backing of an organization whose goals are to serve your needs and help your business prosper. Annual member dues are based on your company's sales volume. Explore what membership in FMI can do for you and send in your form to join today. If you do not qualify to be a member, take advantage of other opportunities we offer. Attend FMI's annual conventions and educational conferences; subscribe to selected newsletters or checkout out publications to help you with your specific information, research or training needs.

National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc.
120 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade is a not-for-profit business trade association established in 1952 to foster trade, commerce and interest in the specialty food industry. The NASFT® is an international organization composed of domestic and foreign manufacturers, importers, distributors, brokers, retailers, restaurateurs, caterers and others in the specialty foods business. The organization has more than 2,060 current member companies throughout the U.S. and overseas. The NASFT's activities and programs include: International Fancy Food & Confection Shows®, NASFT Showcase Magazine®, Retailer Programs, Scholarship and Research Fund and Annual Product Awards

New Hope Media Online
www.newhope.com
New Hope Media Online includes links to the following affiliated sites:

Delicious! Magazine
Provides the latest medical and scientific research in a practical, clear, easy-to-understand format that motivates our readers to make healthy choices for themselves and their families.

Health & Nutrition Breakthroughs
A comprehensive and definitive information resource for individuals interested in improving the quality of health and health care through the use of food and supplements.

HealthWell
HealthWell.com
Your source for natural health information.

Natural Foods Merchandiser
The Natural Foods Merchandiser is the leading trade publication in the natural products industry. Natural Foods Merchandiser provides information to companies involved in the development, marketing, sales and distribution of natural and organic products and dietary supplements.

Natural Products EXPO
Produces the nation's largest natural product tradeshows: EXPO East held in Baltimore, Maryland in the Fall; and EXPO West held in Anaheim, California in the Spring.

New Hope Institute of Retailing (NHIR
)The NHIR continuing education program makes it easy for natural product storeowners, managers and employees to learn more about the industry. Three certification tracks offer focused education in three areas of emphasis: Natural Healing, Food-Based Nutrition, and Business Strategies.

Nutrition Science News (NSN)
A trade magazine dedicated to bringing the cutting-edge science behind natural products to more than 19,000 supplement buyers, storeowners and others each month. NSN delivers credible, unbiased, referenced editorial that makes great third-party literature.

Culinary Institute of America
433 Albany Post Road
Hyde Park, NY 12538
Phone: [phone]
http://www.chefscollaborative.org/
The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) is an independent, not-for-profit institution of higher education committed to providing the world's best professional culinary arts and science education.

Organic Trade Association
P.O. Box 1078
Greenfield, MA 01302
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
www.ota.com
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is a national association representing the organic industry in Canada, the United States and Mexico. Members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmer associations, brokers, consultants, distributors and retailers. Established in 1985 as the Organic Foods Production Association of North America, the Organic Trade Association works to promote organic products in the marketplace and to protect the integrity of organic standards.

Organic Alliance
400 Selby Avenue, Suite T
St. Paul, MN 55102
www.organic.org
The mission of the Organic Alliance is to encourage an ecologically and socially responsible agriculture, which reflects humankind's obligation to protect the health of the planet for future generations. The Alliance promotes the environmental and economic benefits of certified organic food production to farmers, processors, distributors, retailers, and consumers.

Chefs Collaborative 2000
Oldways Preservation & Exchange Trust
25 First Street
Cambridge, MA 02141
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
www.chefnet.com/cc2000
The Chefs Collaborative 2000 promotes sustainable cuisine by teaching children, supporting local farmers, educating one another, and inspiring the public to choose good, clean food. Founded in 1993 by Oldways Preservation & Exchange Trust by a group of leading chefs, the Collaborative is now a national non-profit membership organization of 1,500 chefs across America who are dedicated to the ethic of sustainable cuisine.

The Lake Group
11501 SW Pacific Highway #1008
Portland, OR 97223
Phone: [phone]
Contact: David Lakey, President
Email: [e-mail]
www.lake-group.com
Strategies for Growing Companies
General Incubation Information
National Business Incubation Associations
20 E. Circle Drive, Suite 190
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: [phone]
www.nbia.org
Industry Association of Business Incubators
Kitchen Incubator Consultants
Cameron Wold
Panhandle Area Council
11100 N. Airport Drive
Hayden, ID 83835
Phone: [phone] ext. 3018
Email:[e-mail]
Kitchen Incubators
Coulee Region Business Center
1100 Kane Street
LaCrosse, WI 54603
Contact Person: David Loomis
Phone: [phone]
[e-mail]

Bonner Business Center
804 Airport Way
Sandpoint, ID 83864
Contact Person: Laurie Katana, Office Manager
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

ACEnet (Appalachian Center for Economic Networks
)94 Columbus Road
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: [phone]
www.acenetworks.org

Hamakaua Incubator Kitchen & Crafts
PO Box 157
Paauilo, HI 96776
Contact Person: Cathy Salgrado
Phone: [phone]

Honokaa Incubator Kitchen
PO Box 3007
Honokaa, HI 96727
Contact Person: Carol Yurth
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Superior Business Center
1423 North Eighth Street
Superior, WI 54880-6609
Contact Person: Charles Glazman
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
www.commerce.state.wi.us/mt/mt-com-2610.html

Rosetown & District Economic Developmnet Authority
Box 1238
Rosetown, Saskatchewan SOL 2VO Canada
Contact Person: Laurie Shalley
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Denver Enterprise Center
3003 Arapahoe Street
Denver, CO 80205
Contact Person: David Gonzales
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Airport Business Park
3707 S. Godfrey Blvd. 101
Spokane, WA 99224
Contact Person: Judy Gifford
Phone: [phone]

Foodworks Culinary Center
100 Ericson Ct. Ste. 100
Arcata, CA 95521
Contact Person: James Kimbrell
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail] (Judy Santsche

)

Taos Food Center
PO Box 1389
Taos, NM 87571
Contact Person: Ben Trujillo
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail] (Roxanne deGraaf)

Adirondak Kitchen
6064 Rt. 22
Plattsburg, NY 12901
Contact Person: Merry Gwynn
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Food Venture Center
487 Court Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Contact Person: Patricia Swann
Phone: [phone]

Urban Horizons
50 East 168th Street
Bronx, NY 10452
Contact Person: Vanessa Bonilla
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Hudson Valley FOOD WORKS
372-378 Main Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Contact Person: Bob Weybright
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Vermont Food Venture Center
PO Box 138
Fairfax, VT 05454
Contact Person: Brian Norder
Phone: [phone]

Ore-Ida Specialty Food Processing Center
1904 E. Chicago
Caldwell , ID 83605
Contact Person: Jim Elias
Phone: [phone]

New Hampshire COOKS
7 Wall Street
Concord, NH 3301
Contact Person: Nancy DuBosque
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Niagara Food Innovations
178 King Street
Welland, Ont. L3C3J5 Canada
Contact Person: Betty Ann Baker
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Skyloom Development Services
2300 West Alameda, Unit C6
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Contact Person: Lynnwood Brown
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Fondy Food Center
201 S. Hawley Court
Milwaukee, WI 53214
Contact Person: Tim Locke
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Crossroads
119 West 6th. Ave.
Menomonie, WI 54751
Contact Persons: Karla Miller / Kris Pawlowski
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Farm Market Kitchen
202 Parkway
PO Box 35
Algoma, WI 54201
Contact Person: Mary Pat Carlson
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Organizations
CHI/Bioneers Conference
826 Camino de Monte Rey, #A6
Santa Fe, NM 87505
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Toll Free: 1-877-BIONEER
www.bioneers.org
The Collective Heritage Institute (CHI) conducts education and research in the areas of biodiversity, ecological farming practices, and environmental restoration. Founded in 1990, CHI projects include the annual Bioneers Conference, the Restorative Development Initiative and the bi-annual Collective Heritage Letter.

Equal Exchange
250 Revere Street
Canton, MA 02021
www.equalexchange.com
Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]
Equal Exchange was founded in 1986 to create a new approach to trade, one that includes informed consumers, honest and fair-trade relationships and cooperative principles. As a worker-owned co-op, we have accomplished this by offering consumers fairly traded gourmet coffee direct from small-scale farmers in Latin America and Africa.

Mothers & Others for a Livable Planet
National Office: 40 West 20th Street
New York, NY 10011-4211
Email: [e-mail]
Mothers & Others, a national non-profit education organization, works to promote consumer choices, which are safe and ecologically sustainable for this generation and the next. By providing strategies that can reduce individual and community consumption of natural resources, and by mobilizing consumers to seek sustainable choices, we aim to affect lasting protection of public health and the environment.

Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies (CERES
)11 Arlington Street, 6th Floor
Boston, MA 02116-3411 USA
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
www.ceres.org
CERES is a non-profit coalition of investors, public pension funds, foundations, labor unions, and environmental, religious and public interest groups, working in partnership with companies toward the common goal of corporate environmental responsibility worldwide.

Shorebank Enterprise Pacific
P O Box 826
203 Howerton Way
Ilwaco, WA 98624
Phone: [phone] Fax : [phone]
The primary mission of Shorebank Enterprise is to develop and expand the Conservation Economy in our local rain forests. Using market demand as an incentive, Shorebank Enterprise will accomplish this by providing comprehensive resources that continually improve the economic, environmental and social performances of local enterprises and organizations. The strategy is built on the proven lessons of traditional community development, the documented success of development banking and the science and policy-based practice of ecosystem restoration.

Appalachian Sustainable Development (formerly known as Clinch Powell Sustainable Development)
Anthony Flaccovento
PO Box 791
Abington, VA 24212
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

The Food Alliance
1829 NE Alberta, Suite 5
Portland, OR 97211
Phone: [phone] Fax [phone]
Email [e-mail]
www.thefoodalliance.org

Kansas Rural Center, Inc. (KRC
)Dan Nagengast, Executive Director
304 Pratt Street
Whiting, KS 66552
Phone: [phone]
A non-profit, farmer-driven organization founded in 1979 and promoting the long-term health of the land and its people through research, education, and advocacy.

The Land Institute
Marty Bender
2440 Water Well Road
Salina, KS 67401
Phone: [phone]
The Land Institute is a non-profit research and education organization established in 1976. It is devoted to sustainable agriculture and stewardship. It offers a unique postgraduate internship program, serves as a center for the study of environmental and agricultural issues, and conducts pioneering research into the development of a sustainable agriculture based on the model of the prairie and renewable energy sources for agriculture.

Kansas State University Research and Extension
Rhonda Janke, Sustainable Cropping Systems Specialist
Manhattan, KS 66506
Phone: [phone]
Offices in each county. Research on sustainable agriculture practices, teaching, and extension activities. Publications on agricultural issues.

Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA)
P.O. Box 3657
Fayetteville, AR 72702
Phone: [phone]
A national sustainable farming information center designed to be used by commercial farmers. It offers technical assistance and sustainable agriculture information free of charge. The United States Department of the Interior funds it.

National Agriculture Library (NAL), Alternative Farming Systems Information Center and Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN)
10301 Baltimore Blvd, Rm 304
Beltsville, MD 20705-2351
Phone: [phone] E-mail for SAN: [e-mail] .
SAN's home page: www.ces.ncsu.edu/san/
NAL is a resource center for sustainable agriculture-related publications. SAN provides an electronic mail network for discussions among all interested in matters relating to sustainable agriculture. Produces a Sustainable Agriculture Directory of Expertise with profiles of more than 700 organizations and individuals throughout the US.

North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE).
Steve Waller/Laurie Bauer
13-A Activities Building
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, NE 68583-0840
Phone: [phone]
Provides professional development training opportunities in sustainable agriculture to Cooperative Extension, NRCS, and other appropriate individuals. Has an ongoing program of grants for research, education, and on-farm demonstrations. Nationally, there are also Northeast, Southern, and Western Regional offices. They provide the Sustainable Farming Connection Growing for Market page which features information on marketing value-added products for farmers and market gardeners. Good links and frequent news on farm marketing issues.

Agricultural Research Council
1134 Park Street, Hatfield, Pretoria
P.O. Box 8783, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
Phone: [phone] Fax:[phone]

Farming Systems Research & Technology Transfer
Richard Fowler, East Coast Coordinator
ARC-Grain Crops Institute
P\bag X9059
Pietermaritzburg 3200, South Africa
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
www.arc.agric.za

Northern Plains Sustainable Agriculture Society
Theresa Podoll
9825 79th St. SE
Fullerton, ND 58441-9725
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
www.npsas.org

Institute for Environmental Research Education
Rita Schenck, Executive Director
19001 Vashon Highway, SW, Suite 203
Vashon, WA 98070
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
www.iere.org

In Business Magazine
The JG Press, Inc.
419 State Ave.
Emmaus, PA 18049
Phone: [phone], toll free: 800-661-4905
www.jgpress.com

Center for Rural Affairs
Kelly O'Neill/Rose Jasperson
P.O. Box 406
Walthill, NE 68067-0406
Phone: [phone]
www.cfra.org
The Center for Rural Affairs is committed to building communities that stand for social justice, economic opportunity, and environmental stewardship. We encourage people to accept both personal and social responsibility for creating such communities. We provide opportunities for people to participate in decisions that shape the quality of their lives and the futures of their communities. The Center engages in research, education, advocacy, and service work to further this vision of rural America.

WESST Corp
PO Box 444
Las Cruces, NM 88004
Phone: [phone]
www.wesst.org
www.zianet.com/wesstlc/

NorthEast Neighborhood Alliance
Hank Herrera, Planner/Development Specialist
1499-1501 Clifford Avenue
Rochester, NY 14609
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
www.nena10.com
Southeast Ohio Resources
Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association
P.O. Box 82234
Columbus, Ohio 43202
Phone: [phone] (food
)OEFFA is a diverse association of farmers, gardeners and consumers working together to create and promote a safe, secure and sustainable system of agriculture. OEFFA represents people who are interested in food grown using organic methods. It focuses on preservation of family farms and farmers; greater regional food self-reliance; and the connections between healthy soil, healthy food, healthy farms and healthy communities.

Resilience Institute
26328 Locust Grove Road
Creola, Ohio 45622
Resilience Institute is member-supported non-profit educational organization active in the areas of agriculture, appropriate technology, human nutrition, Native American Ways and land use. The Resilience Institute conducts workshops and courses at the Educational Center located on Locust Grove Farm in southern Ohio.

Ohio Farm Direct
9665 Kline Road
West Salem, Ohio 44287
Phone: [phone]
Ohio Farm Direct links consumers and retailers to certified organic products. Their mission is to promote the production of the highest quality foods through farming practices, which conserve and improve the land for future generation; treat livestock humanely; and contribute to the health of our community.

Rural Action
PO Box 157
Trimble, Ohio 45782
Phone: [phone]
http://ruralaction.org
Rural Action is a member-based non-profit organization located in Trimble, Ohio, with field offices and personnel working in Athens, Vinton, Pike, Perry, and Hocking counties. Our project areas include arts, agriculture, housing, health care, environmental restoration, heritage preservation, service, learning, and leadership development. Principles of sustainability and rural renewal are the heart and soul of Rural Action s community development goals and mission.

National Business Incubation Association (NBIA
)20 East Circle Drive
Athens, Ohio 45701
Phone: [phone]
http://www.nbia.org
NBIA is a non-profit membership organization whose objectives are to provide information, research and networking resources to help members develop and manage successful incubation programs; sponsor annual conferences and training programs; build awareness of business incubation as a valuable business development tool; inform and educate leaders, potential supporters and stakeholders of the significant benefits of incubation.
University and Government Resources
Center for Innovative Food Technologies (CIFT
)(A program managed by the Edison Industrial Systems Center)
2600 Dorr Street
Toledo, Ohio 43607-3237
Phone [phone]

Nebraska Food Processing Center
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
143 H.C. Filley Hall, East Campus
Lincoln, NE 68583-0919
Main: [phone]; Marketing: [phone]; Fax: [phone]
http://foodsci.unl.edu/
The Nebraska Food Processing Center assists the state's food processing industry by providing help in product research and improvement where possible. Technical educational programs are available. The center also provides sales and marketing leads through a market network referral system.

North-Central Region Directory of Food Industry Research and Development Resources
Phone: [phone]
http://www.ag.iastate.edu/centers/directory/
This site includes overviews of food-product-related university research centers of excellence and associated academic departments throughout the North-Central Region (IA, IN, IL, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, and WI), including their public-sector resources and business-assistance programs. This site is intended to actively promote economic development throughout the North-Central Region by establishing a simple means by which interested individuals can identify state and federal food-processing-related resources. We feel that this directory will be a valuable aid to various individuals and organizations, including: entrepreneurs, established and expanding businesses, rural development strategists, state and federal agencies, the staffs of state and federal legislators, university researchers, and professional organizations.

The Ohio State University Extension
Food Science and Technology
2121 Fyffe Road
Columbus, Ohio 43210-1097
Phone: [phone]

University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives
224 Taylor Hall
427 Lorch Street
Madison, WI 53706
Contact: Greg Lawless, Outreach Specialist
Email: [e-mail]
Jody Padgham, Outreach Specialist
Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]
www.wisc.edu/uwcc
(Cooperative Development

)

Food Circles Networking Project
Kevin Webb (general questions)
Department of Rural Sociology
University of Missouri-Columbia
105 Sociology
Columbia, MO 65211
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture
Bonita Oehlke
100 Cambridge Street, 21st Floor
Boston, MA 02202
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
www.massgrown.org

U.S. Department of Agriculture
14th & Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20250
Phone: [phone]
www.usda.gov

Rural Development
www.rurdev.usda.gov

Rural Business Enterprise Grant program
www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/busp/bprogs.htm

For contact information in your state:
www.rurdev.usda.gov/recd_map.html

[meatn3]

Wow! Thank you so much! Appreciate the time you've put into amassing such a comprehensive list. Can't wait to start exploring it!

[JMF]

Not to put you off but there is a lot involved. But it's worth it, especially if you go organic which has a huge profit potential, especially if you are also producing upscale baked goods. I just want to add that in many states (and I am pretty sure NY is one of them) baked goods like bread, cake, cookies, do not have to be made in a commercial kitchen. Jams and home canned goods are usually illegal to make in a home kitchen and have to be produced in a commercial facility. Of course your home has to be zoned for commercial or multi use. You may have to apply for a variance if it is not. In addition you will need a business license and separate bank accounts, apply for state and federal tax ID's, get at least two million dollars of liability insurance, and if you have any employees besides yourself get workmans comp insurance, Social Security and unemployment insurance etc... Also since you will be selling your goods wholesale to a retail shop you will have to have your kitchen inspected and have a local or state health dept license to show to the retail store.

[nuttyg143]

I, too, have been selling my specialties - a dehydrated fruit and nut raw bar. I loved looking over all this information and wondered if anyone has good references for packaging - bags, sealers, etc. I'm currently using a crystal clear, resealable poly bag, but it doesn't seal all the air out perfectly. I ordered an impulse heat sealer but the bags aren't the right quality and you can't just tear the seal open. I know I need a sealed package but don't know what kind of bag or sealer to use. Looking for clear, crisp packaging with maybe a crimped seal. Any advice would be so appreciated.

[chicanica]

Thanks for the info! how can I chek if my state(Texas) baked goods do not have to be made in commercial kitchen? My home is not zoned for multi use nor commercial.

[Elizzie]

Wow! Thanks for sharing all of this great information! Chowhounds rock!