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Can I start my own pickling and Jamming business?

Saliana - posted on 08/07/2012 ( 5 moms have responded )

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So, for the past few days, I've been buying fruits and vegetables that are on sale and have been pickling and jamming them. Super healthy. Mostly for me. I have made around 15 jars (pint and quarter sizes) of pickled baby eggplants, cauliflower, strawberry jam and peach jam. I have also made about two jars of cream cheese and one jar of Greek yogurt. All ingredients cost me around 15 bucks (I love sales!). Anyhow, I was never interested in selling my stuff, but my husband just left me and my 10 month old (we're separated now), and I am still in school and have a part time job. Expenses are high even though I am a bit conservative with money. Baby and I live in a tiny tiny apartment (we pay under 400 dollars a month so you can imagine how small it is). Anyways, do you think I have a chance to make somehting out of this "business"? or how to even get started? I have no money, only what my mom taught me when I was young about cooking and preserving food. Can someone give me some advice to get started? I looked online but most tips say somehting like registering with the giv't etc, I do not want to do that.. sounds too complicated.



Many many thanks!



p.s. if you think the whole idea is crap, please let me know too. I definitely don't want to get my hopes up for nothing

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5 Comments

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Jenniffer - posted on 08/20/2012

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I started making jams to sell about five years ago, I have been canning for 25. You need to check with your local enviromental health department. Some states let you process in your home kitchen some require a commercial kitchen. When I started I rented space from a local restaurant, the laws have since changed and certain items can be made in home kitchens with an inspection. I also had to have all my products tested in a state lab for PH and water activity with a cost of about $35 per product. As for making pickles in my state you have to take a two day class for acidilied foods. I also carry liability insurance in case anyone get sick from eating my products. It is a lot of work but once you get started it is fairly easy to maintain the permits and office work side of the business. Good luck.

Saliana - posted on 08/12/2012

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wow this is awesome, thanks, Katherine! I've never heard of it before, I am definitely going to try it out and hopefully it'll work out.

Katherine - posted on 08/11/2012

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Why don't you try Etsy or Ebay? Etsy is all about home made things. Check with them. etsy.com. I'm sure they would go for it!

Brittany - posted on 08/10/2012

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It could easily do well.

http://www.sba.gov/

This site will answer a lot of your questions.

I've been working on starting my own business as well. I have been doing it slowly, as I'm trying to not take out a loan. This site has been my best friend through this process.

Best of luck.

Melissa - posted on 08/09/2012

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It's kind of a tough call... Starting a business can be a lot of work often with very little payout to start with... Whether or not you need a business license all boils down to the area you live in, I can't remember but I think it goes either by county or city, so you'll definitely want to look into that. I would recommend trying to find something like a local farmers market that you could possible sell at to start or maybe a fruit stand. If your dedicated it's possible. You'll also need to look into laws and regulations regarding food. You might not be able to prepare food for sale in your home. You definitely want to be well educated on the business side of things to avoid any possible lawsuits since people anymore are so sue happy. But if it's something you love doing and something you can be dedicated to I think it's a great idea!

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