If you’re a food lover, farmers markets are a great place for you to begin monetizing your passion.  Market vendors operate at a small scale, so you can take the time to get your feet wet.  You won't need to have much of a staff or a marketing budget, nor will you need access to a commercial kitchen. And as farmers markets are local and community oriented, visitors tend to be regulars who are open to trying new foods and checking out the new vendors. When they find something they like, they’re likely to become repeat customers who will spread the word among their friends.

Where to start? The first thing to do is to choose at least one food item you want to sell. Whether you’re baking cookies based on your grandmother’s recipes or simmering a batch of your father’s famous BBQ sauce, you will be more likely to succeed if your venture is fueled by passion. But a successful food business requires more than a love of great food. One aspect new food...

Are you interested in starting a food business out of your home kitchen but aren't sure how to do so? If you live in Michigan you're in luck. The Michigan Cottage Food law allows you to make and sell certain foods out of your home kitchen without having to follow certain FDA laws, so long as you follow the rules. 

The law limits the types of foods you are allowed to make and where you are legally permitted to sell your products. It's important to know the rules before you launch your home-based business to make sure you don't break the law. 

Here is a good article on the Michigan Cottage Food law: How to Start a Home-Based Food Business

If you have an idea for a food business, but aren’t sure whether the market is there to support your new venture, starting off in your kitchen may be a great place to begin. Using your home kitchen is a cost effective way to produce your product and gauge consumer response. 

However, you can’t just start making and selling food out of your kitchen. Most states have strict laws regarding home kitchens, which is why it’s important to know the rules before you begin cooking. So let’s talk about the mistakes you should avoid when launching a home-based food business.

1. Knowing the difference between FDA law and State & Local Law

If most circumstances if you are not selling your product across state lines, then you aren’t subject to FDA regulation. However, if you import food products, sell online or ship food out of state, then you must register as a food facility with the FDA. Even if you are exempt from FDA oversight, remember you will...