Deeksha Sinha

It is a non-PHF, but your state probably has different rules for vendors producing on-site at a market (the cottage food law is for items prepared at home). You should check with your area’s ag or health dept.

Hi Lauren, I think that’s totally dependent on what you are selling! For instance, custom cakes are best done from home. What are you planning to make?

Jackie, I’m not aware of the specifics for NV, but everything you said sounds about right. If you are only going to sell one cake per month, then I suggest you save some money and just give away the cake for free.

1. No, but you need the landlord’s permission.
2. Yes
3. Usually basic stuff, like cleanliness, proper hot water and fridge temps, plus making sure you know how to sanitize things. It will probably be easier than you’re expecting.

I think that using a convection oven (but not a microwave) to bake would be fine. Items that are not baked, like fudge, no bake cookies, and no bake candy, would not be allowed.

David, I can assure you that most (if not all) of the CFOs in LA County have not had to spend $1,000+ on a business license. You can ask your health dept if you need a business license, but regardless, a business license should be a fairly simple process that shouldn’t cost more than a couple hundred for a small business.

I just looked up…[Read more]

Every county is a little different. You probably do need to register a business to get a Class B permit in LA, but it shouldn’t be hard to do. At the very least, you can just become a sole proprietorship under your name. When you submit your permit application to the health dept, they will tell you whether you need to get registered with the county first.

The best way to protect a name is through trademarking, but first, I would highly recommend that you don’t worry about that until you are making substantial revenue from your business. Unless you are making waves in your industry, you don’t give people much reason to steal your name. You should be so lucky for people to care about your business…[Read more]