What It Takes to Start a New Food Business
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Have you ever been told your jams or pickles are good enough to sell? Do you wonder what is involved with getting a food product sellable in North Carolina? There are lots of things to consider when exploring whether you should produce food products for sale.
First, you need to determine if it is actually a product that is allowed to be produce from a home kitchen or do you need to produce it in a commercial facility or kitchen. You also need to figure out which agencies are required to inspect and approve your process for production. This can all be confusing, but with a little help understandable. The two main agencies are North Carolina Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Protection Division, Food Program or the County Environmental Health Department. They will determine what risks your product may have and help you know what you need to do to make it legal to sell in North Carolina. Some things that are considerations are if the product will be packaged as a shelf stable product or ready to eat or possibly refrigerated. Other considerations are whether it is low risk or high risk for foodborne pathogens or other risks.
All of these come into play when considering if you need to use a commercial kitchen or even if it is a product that you will be able to do. Our area does have some commercial kitchen options but some may be a distance from you or have different equipment available which can make your decisions on what to do harder. But taking the time have a good understanding of your production needs when planning to make things like jams, pickles and even baked goods at a production level versus what you have been doing at home for friends and family will often be what makes your product successful or not.
Other considerations when deciding on whether to try to produce a food product for selling are business considerations. It can be good to get support and insight from small business programs at the local community college or other non-profit small business agencies in the community. Having a thorough business plan is important when starting any new entrepreneurial adventure.
If all this seems a bit overwhelming, never fear, you can join us for a comprehensive workshop designed to guide local entrepreneurs through the essential steps of building a successful food business. Whether you’re making jams, bread, salsa, or pet food from home, North Carolina Cooperative Extension will be hosting an event that will be packed with expert-led sessions on food regulations, marketing, sales outlets, and more at the Rutherford County Center on April 29th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. See the registration link for more information and to register. Though there is no charge, the space is limited so registration is needed. Registration
Other good resources are North Carolina State University’s Food Entrepreneurial Program.
Or North Carolina Department of Agriculture Starting a Food Business
You can also call our office or email Cathy Hohenstein, the FCS agent, if you have questions about the April program or generally about starting a food business or producing a new product. Her email is cathy_hohenstein@ncsu.edu.