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I am planning on selling my jams, jellies and salsas at farmers markets and specialty stores in my area to see how well they go over. Any advise for me on doing so. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. thanks
AT the farmers market you will be ok normally since "home made" things often sell there.
In stores may be an issue, since once you become commerical, your kitchen has to be licensed by the health department and meet all the requirements that any kitchen will have to, from material pans are made with, to temp of the water to wash dishes, proper dish washing, and esp all the rules on sanitation and safty for packaging.
next what happens if someone sues you for 1 million dollar for some foriegn matter in the food, ( remember the McDonalds coffee law suit, and even the Wendy's finger in the chili law suit.)
AT the farmers market you will be ok normally since "home made" things often sell there.
In stores may be an issue, since once you become commerical, your kitchen has to be licensed by the health department and meet all the requirements that any kitchen will have to, from material pans are made with, to temp of the water to wash dishes, proper dish washing, and esp all the rules on sanitation and safty for packaging.
next what happens if someone sues you for 1 million dollar for some foriegn matter in the food, ( remember the McDonalds coffee law suit, and even the Wendy's finger in the chili law suit.)
Thank you so much. would you know how I would go about getting my kitchen inspected ect.. this is all new to me and I am trying to make money and stay home with family.
I remember seeing a program about a mother doing the same thing and the fact that the family had a dog that was allowed in the house was an automatic fail for her kitchen inspection. She was doing catering, though, not canning.
When you get to the point of selling on a larger scale i recommend contacting your local SBA (Small Business Association http://www.sba.gov/) Even before then their website is FILLED with excellent information on how to write a business plan, protect your ideas, how to register your business with the state, etc.
Also, check out your area and see if there is a women's business owners organization. I HIGHLY recommend joining one if it is available. The information you can receive for free is invaluable. You can go to a meeting and sit at a table with an accountant, an attorney, a financial planner and its as if you have struck gold and everyone wants to help you which is even cooler.
yes, you will find everything from the type of flooring in the food prep area, to the wearing of hair coverage, to the type of pots and pans used, to thier storage, and so on.
Also since it is being sold, there will be a requirement to list all items included to be listed on a label. ( just like in a store)
And then the dept of health comes and inspects your kitchen and will rate you. This rating of the sanitation of your kitchen is publicly listed in every where I know of.
You may contact the dept of health and see if they can recommend some material for you.
Just another bit of advice to add to the excellent ones that have been given to you already. If you get to the point where you would like to advertise on the Internet, you can do so for free at a number of sites. A lot of them are listed on the following link.
And to add, this is a great business plan, some of the largest jelly people in the world ( BlackBerry Farms) started out as a mom and pop type business from my understanding.
And it is well worth doing if you have a passion for it. at times I do sound alittle negitive but just warning of all the bad things. *** wish I took my own advice more
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