Where Do You Start If You Want to Sell Food Items on Line?

Hi, T.

You might want to start with the official Tx website: www.state.tx.us . I know that since you will be dealing with food, there are a WHOLE lot of rules and regs regarding the safety. You might also want to call the local branch of the Health Dept, which governs food safety.

I don't know if these will help much, but maybe they can point you in the right direction! :)

I know there are some succesful food sellers on www.etsy.com

http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=tag_ti...

One, "The County Baker"
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5071846 , is a fully licensed family that does it together, and they use a licensed work space as well. Definately check into everything Becca said, as their are many rules about licensing and health codes that vary state by state.

Here are some great threads that can help:

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5271742
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5264147
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5193181

There's a woman who lives in Colleyville who started making Hooks U Salsa in her kitchen. Her name is Zoubida Hooks. Her Salsa is now sold in many stores in Texas, Oklahoma, Utah, Louisiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Idaho. The website is www.hooksusalsa.com. There is a contact us link on their website. Maybe you can send an email to her and ask for her advice on starting your own business that way. She may not know about the selling on-line part, but she could give you some ideas about what she had to do to sell food made from her kitchen.

You might also try books from the library. I'm sure there must be some books on how to start a home based business that deals specifically with cooking or food I would think.

Good luck!

I actually work in the food industry and my dad owned his own business. I do know that you do need a Food Handlers License. You need to make sure you get one for the respective city that you are going to be handling the food in. You are also going to need to get a Tax ID. This will be necessary when filing your taxes for the business. Do NOT file your personal taxes with your business taxes. Those need to remain seperate cause you can write off certain items on the business taxes. It would also be advisable that you open a seperate checking account and/or get a business credit card. Anything that is purchased for the business needs to be paid for out of the business accounts. This includes mixers, blenders, baking pans or any equipment needed to make the food item as well as the food ingrediants, wrappers, containers, labels, etc. If you get a business credit card, most credit card companies offer a summerary statement. This lists all transactions that are done throughout the year and is easier for the tax firm or accountant that you use to itemize your deductions. Make sure that all postage that needs to be paid for mailings from the business are also paid for by the business accounts. You can also save any and all reciepts from business purchases for the accountant. If you are doing this business out of your house, you can also write off a portion of your mortgage/rent and utilities (gas, water, electricity, phone) You could also get a cell phone or a seperate line in your house strictly for the business. You must save your utility bills or may be able to get a summary statement from the utilites. As for the mortgage or rent write off, you will need to give a copy of your rental agreement or mortgage papers to the accountant when they do the taxes for you. You are also going to be needing a DBA (doing business as) if your sole proprietorship or partnership is going by a name other than your own; make sure you file it with the state.

That's a few of the things off the top of my head that I know you need. I would also check your local government and the TX's government websites or offices to find out what I may have left out.