STARTING A BUSINESS FROM YOUR KITCHEN
Do you like to bake bread, make pastries, pasta, candy, jams, jellies and preserves? Do you want to earn extra income from creating and selling these products? If you answered yes to the above questions then continue reading.
In 2011, the Florida Legislature enacted House Bill 7209 allowing individuals to manufacture, sell and store certain types of “Cottage Foods” products in an unlicensed home kitchen. The place where you make your “Cottage Foods” must be done in your own kitchen. This law has helped many individuals start their own businesses with little startup costs.
The Cottage Food Law allows individuals to make and sell breads, rolls, biscuits, cakes, cookies, candies, honey, jams, jellies, preserves, fruit pies, dried fruits, dry herbs, seasonings and mixtures, pasta, cereals, granola, coated or uncoated nuts, vinegar and flavored vinegars, popcorn and popcorn balls. These products are not considered potentially hazardous. They do not need to be kept at certain temperatures to keep food items safe from pathogenic microorganism growth or toxin formation.
You can create and sell these products without a state license, permit, or inspection if your annual gross sales does not exceed $15,000. All items that are sold must be prepackaged with a label affixed that contains specific information about the product.
The University of Florida’s Nassau, Duval and Bradford Extension Service is offering “The Homemade Entrepreneur” Course to help you discover your potential and venture into starting your own business. You will learn about food safety and quality, product development, regulatory requirements, how to make jams, jellies and pasta. You will develop marketing ideas and make a business plan. This three-session course meets on August 16 from 10am to 2pm; August 23 from 10am to 2pm; September 6 from 10am to 2pm. All classes will be held at Duval County Extension Service location: 1010 N. McDuff Ave., Jacksonville, Florida. Registration Fee $75. Class size is limited to 25. To register go to https://uf-foodbusiness-cottage-food.eventbrite.com . For further information contact your UF/IFAS, Nassau County Extension Agent Meg McAlpine at 904-530-6359
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