anyone start a homemade baby food biz

[preciousstone]

would love some tips and advice. how much did it take to get started? what kind of permits did you have to get. did you make the food out of your home or at a retail locations?

[lilmissmommy]

I also would love tips and advice. I would really enjoy starting my own business, but I have no idea how. Plus, I live in Puerto Rico and there are a lot of lazy mamas out here who just feed jarred babyfood and give their babies formula instead of breastfeeding.

I am my baby's chef and he is exclusively nursed. I am very proud to say that because I never thought I could breastfeed and until I got pregnant I didn't even KNOW making your own babyfood was possible (thanks to all the Gerber promotion and products I've seen in my life!)

[dogmom327]

I don't do baby food but what I make/sell qualifies as food so I can tell you that you'll need a license through your state department of agriculture which means you'll have to produce the food in a licensed kitchen. Normally a licensed kitchen is a commercial kitchen and you'll have to rent space. I've heard of people getting their home kitchen's licensed but it's supposedly very difficult and pretty much impossible if you have children or pets.

[34me]

If it does not take you a lot of time a lot of small baking businesses in this area rent space from local churches (always looking to make some extra money as well) or the senior center. Both places generally already have lisenced commercial kitchens and can be rented for a reasonable fee so it's win/win.

[dogmom327]

Originally Posted by 34me

If it does not take you a lot of time a lot of small baking businesses in this area rent space from local churches (always looking to make some extra money as well) or the senior center. Both places generally already have lisenced commercial kitchens and can be rented for a reasonable fee so it's win/win.

Great idea! I'd imagine churches are also more affordable than regular commercial kitchens (around here they run $40/hr.). Definitely check into what the licensing fees are though. I know I pay $460 a year to the state for a license.

[lilmissmommy]

Thanks for your replies...good ideas. I don't know when or if I will ever be able to do this financially...hopefully I will.