Regulations for selling home canned goods? [General]
2009 Mar 1
How much for a keg of your finest ?
Regulations smeg-u-lations.
I won't tell if you don't tell.
2009 Mar 1
No thanks Captain - not into bootlegging :-)
Though I have thought for years that a LEGAL catered microbrew service could be viable. But only if I had a fair bit bigger of a brewery. Even as little as 5x bigger would really be a big boost.
Though I have thought for years that a LEGAL catered microbrew service could be viable. But only if I had a fair bit bigger of a brewery. Even as little as 5x bigger would really be a big boost.
2009 Mar 1
pretty sure it's an unregulated space given the small distribution. i guess for it to be "legit" you'd need proper labeling w/ nutrional info, etc.
the beer baron idea has piqued my interest...
2009 Mar 1
Hi Zym, I met a woman recently who made cakes from home and she had problems with the Health dept, she had animals in her house and only 1 kitchen sink, so she converted her garage into an industrial kitchen that met with the Health dept, regulations. She has now retired and sold her house to a caterer who bought the house purely on the new kitchen.
Check with the farmers markets for there criteria as I know the Health dept does spot checks on goods, especially meats and dairy products. Good luck, I will buy your goods any day!!
Check with the farmers markets for there criteria as I know the Health dept does spot checks on goods, especially meats and dairy products. Good luck, I will buy your goods any day!!
2009 Mar 1
Hi Zy
You need to prepare the products in a certified kitchen. Most markets will regulate that you must have your Safe Food Handers Certificate as well. A little craft show etcetera may let you in - but you should be aware that it is not technically legal.
If you have an 'in' with a local church, then you can use their kitchen.
I spent nine months searching for my own kitchen, and I've finally found one. It has passed first inspection and he comes to check my temp on tuesday and I am good to go!
To certify your own kitchen you need 2 sinks for dish washing (you cannot use reusable containers and accept them back. Or three sinks (or two sinks and a dish washer) in which case you CAN accept back reusables.
In addition you must have a seperate hand sink. (Mine is a laundry tub. I had to be very very clear that it is my HAND sink with the occasional over-sized board or pan washed in it.) It must have paper towels and liquid soap. In addition your closest washroom must be stocked with liquid soap and paper towels.
Depending upon who you talk too pets are allowed. In Peterborough, my housemate had a cat and inspector was happy with it being banished upstairs while I was cooking. Here they just seemed relieved that my kitchen is seperate and that pets were not an issue.
You need to prepare the products in a certified kitchen. Most markets will regulate that you must have your Safe Food Handers Certificate as well. A little craft show etcetera may let you in - but you should be aware that it is not technically legal.
If you have an 'in' with a local church, then you can use their kitchen.
I spent nine months searching for my own kitchen, and I've finally found one. It has passed first inspection and he comes to check my temp on tuesday and I am good to go!
To certify your own kitchen you need 2 sinks for dish washing (you cannot use reusable containers and accept them back. Or three sinks (or two sinks and a dish washer) in which case you CAN accept back reusables.
In addition you must have a seperate hand sink. (Mine is a laundry tub. I had to be very very clear that it is my HAND sink with the occasional over-sized board or pan washed in it.) It must have paper towels and liquid soap. In addition your closest washroom must be stocked with liquid soap and paper towels.
Depending upon who you talk too pets are allowed. In Peterborough, my housemate had a cat and inspector was happy with it being banished upstairs while I was cooking. Here they just seemed relieved that my kitchen is seperate and that pets were not an issue.
2009 Mar 1
Zym - This would probably be a good "niche" for you... besides your knowledge and interest I understand that a lot of the Ottawa Jam & Pickle set have retired or are in the process of doing so. If you can put up with the grind of all the day-to-day work, and then setting up tables at places like the Stittsville Flea Market or Carp Farmer's Market, there is definitely money to be made. I remember a local lady from about 15 years ago... she just couldn't keep stuff in stock... would sell out half-way thru the day... can't think of anyone since locally who has taken up the cause... and Foodie Stuff seems to do well as a start up in the Ottawa market... just look at Deb's or Mrs. McGarrigles Mustards, both local success stories.
You might also want to check out the Website for Pat's Jams in PE County... Pat started her business as a hobby... it too has grown incredibly www.pec.on.ca/patsjams
I've met Pat she's great, and I see by her website she lists both an e-mail address and a phone number... I bet she'd be willing to chat with you about your idea... and how one goes about getting started. She might even give you some insider tips.
Good Luck!
You might also want to check out the Website for Pat's Jams in PE County... Pat started her business as a hobby... it too has grown incredibly www.pec.on.ca/patsjams
I've met Pat she's great, and I see by her website she lists both an e-mail address and a phone number... I bet she'd be willing to chat with you about your idea... and how one goes about getting started. She might even give you some insider tips.
Good Luck!
2009 Mar 1
I know we've mentioned this before ...
www.ottawafoodies.com
... but if the pogey runs out and you start having to dip into your RESP (heaven forbid), then a 'survival job' may be in order.
Wouldn't brewing at Beau's make you happier than mixing paint at Home Depot ?
....and/or if Beau's has any extra capacity, you may be able to strike up a deal to run that catered microbrew business that you have been dreaming about.
Just a thought.
For more on setting up a legit food business:
www.ottawafoodies.com
and to meet labeling laws:
www.inspection.gc.ca
... and you may need to registar your business:
See the "A Guide to Registering your business name in Ontario" link on this useful page :
stage.cbs.gov.on.ca
... and you may need a licence from the city as well:
www.ottawa.ca.
2009 Mar 2
Hmmmm, now that you mention it Captain ... I did get an offer from Beau's in fact. Steve said he's pretty sure they will need a new Brewmaster come summer, and he had an email in my inbox within an hour of me starting to tell people I lost my job :-) Perhaps I could pitch him the idea of the catered micro brew thing ...
2009 Mar 2
Zym - Now that is GOOD News... If I were you I'd be following that lead, and see if it doesn't eventually grow into something bigger over time.
2009 Mar 2
Honestly the only downside of taking that job at Beau's would be that there is no Aikido out there. And for me that is a pretty enormous downside that will require some very serious consideration.
zymurgist
Anyone know anything about this?
In particular I'm thinking about the jars of jams and pickles that you often see at flea markets and even some farmers' markets - surely those people aren't getting permits of any sort.
Reason being - I'd like to start selling some stuff while I'm unemployed.
Anyone?
thanks,
-Alan