How to Start a Business Selling Food Products

Starting a food business requires many inspections

There are two ways to start a business selling food products, one is to operate from premises meeting the registration requirements of Food Hygiene Regulations of 1974 and that is inspected by the local council. The other is to develop a Food Safety Program. There are various businesses possible with food products such as catering, wedding cakes, bread making, artisan cheeses, picnic baskets, coffee cart, maple syrup products, BBQ, hot dog cart, gourmet popcorn, etc. You can choose a single product or choose a mix of products based on your specialization.

Instructions

1. Write a business plan. A business plan can help you to better understand and organize any business, to plan for long term or expansion and as a presentation to a financial institution for funding. In a business plan, include your business overview, market research of the business climate in the food industry in your locality and details of your competitors, a marketing plan showing how you will advertise and promote business and attract customers, background information regarding you, your key employees and partners, pro forma financial statements and contracts or legal documents, if any.

2. Register with the Territorial Authority or register a Food Safety Program with NZFSA. In case of the first option, contact the local authorities, where you can gather information regarding the local as well national requirements to start a business. The Environmental Health Officer will advise you on necessary space and other facilities. In case of the second option, a Food Safety Authority approved auditor is necessary to audit the business. You must also comply with the standards of any of the websites like FoodSafety.gov, fsis.usda.gov, and fda.gov.

3. Check out the regulations for the premises where you are planning to sell, the policies for labeling and packaging, food grade containers and display of food, the regulations underlying the employment of cleaners, sanitizers, chemicals for microbial control, etc. These regulations can vary according to locality. Make sure that you are aware of all these regulations.

4. Get all inspections by contacting the respective agencies of your locality.

5. Advertise your business by distributing flyers and business cards among friends or even create your own website. Make sure that you reach the target market and advertise according to their location and food-buying habits.

Tips & Warnings

• Gain reputation well before you start the business. In case you specialize in a particular product, make sure to spread the word about your unique product before you expand into other products.

• Stick to cleanliness and quality. Make sure to mention any possible food allergies in labeling.

References

• "55 Surefire Food-Related Businesses You can Start for under $5000"; Cheryl Kimball; 2009
• New Zealand Food Safety Authority: Starting a Small Business Selling Food