Run a small food business with fewer surprises
Licences, food safety, equipment and planning notes for food trucks, home bakers, pop-ups, market stalls and small cafés.
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Hiring Your First Employee
Taking on your first team member changes your legal duties overnight. Work through these steps so…
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Cottage Food Laws Explained
Home baking rules are written state by state. See how two large states handle approved foods,…
Latest articles
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Menu Labeling Rules for Small Cafés Compared
Calorie counts on menu boards are required for big chains, not most independent cafés. Here is how the US and English menu labeling rules compare.
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Running a Food Truck in Winter: A Checklist
Cold months bring fewer customers, frozen water lines and long hours outdoors. This checklist helps you keep a food truck running safely through winter.
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EIN for a Food Business: Do You Need One?
An EIN is the federal tax ID for a business. Here is when a food side hustle or small food business needs one, and how to…
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Home Kitchen Food Safety: Myths and Facts
Washing raw chicken, cooling food on the counter, tasting raw dough. Some kitchen habits feel safe but are not. Here is what public health guidance says.
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Turning a Cooking Hobby Into a Business
Friends keep asking you to sell your pies. Follow one hypothetical cook through the questions that decide whether a kitchen hobby should become a business.
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Selling Baked Goods Online: A Buyer’s Guide to Your Options
Before you pick a platform for your cakes and cookies, check what your state or council allows online, then compare the main sales channels on fit…
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Standing Work Ergonomics: A Checklist
Long shifts on your feet behind a counter or stall take a toll. Use this checklist to adjust heights, floors, shoes and routines before aches set…
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Food Labeling for Home Bakers: A Checklist
Your cookie bag label carries legal weight. Use this checklist to make sure each one shows what your state or council requires before the first sale.
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Market Stall Setup: A Buyer’s Guide to Equipment
Before you spend on a canopy or cooler, know what inspectors expect at a food stall and how to judge each piece of kit for weight,…
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Allergen Management for Small Food Businesses
A customer asks whether a dish is safe for their allergy. This checklist helps make sure your answer is accurate every time, from recipe records to…
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Food Business Insurance Types Compared
Which policies does a small food business actually need? Compare what each common type covers, who tends to need it and what the law requires for…
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Food Truck Permits and Locations: A Checklist
Before the first service, your truck needs paperwork from several offices and permission for every spot you park. Tick through these items in order.
