Starting a Food Business in Connecticut

Family recipes for jams, main dish items, cookies or other desserts may make money once the food product reaches the hands of Connecticut residents and visitors to the state. Consumable items can result in repeat business once an audience discovers the unique ingredients and tastes; competition, however, is challenging but not insurmountable.

A long-term commitment can result in profitable sales locally and across the state.

Evaluate

Evaluate the product objectively whether it's a family recipe for cookies or a new mixture for a salad dressing. Invite friends to take a taste test and supply a survey sheet rating the taste, appearance, and other traits that are positive or negative. Do they like it? Great. What do they like about the product? Do they not like it? Why? Improve the product and evaluate again.

Food Safety

Enroll in a food safety course like the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point through Foodsafetyinstituteofamerica.com or a Food Safety Distance Education course through the University of Connecticut's College of Agriculture. Contact local insurance agents in Connecticut to inquire about a minimum $1,000,000 liability policy. That's an amount used for food businesses in the Los Angeles area.

Log on to the Connecticut Licensing and Information Center, Ct-clic.com, to check food licensing requirements and complete an application. Log on to the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services, Ct.gov/drs, to obtain a sales and tax use permit. Check the local city website to comply with necessary city permits like the City of Hartford.

Commercial Kitchens

Rent a commercial kitchen space and locate a co-packer. Choose the packaging and pricing. Contact a food scientist to prepare the label. Start with the "Safe Food in Connecticut" site through the UConn College of Agriculture, Cag.uconn.edu, to get referrals for food scientists.

Test Sales

Plan to make initial sales at a Famers' Market to test customer reactions. Commit to at least six months of selling at the location to develop a repeat customer base. Visit Ctfarmfresh.org for a listing of Farmers' Markets in eight different counties. Gauge feedback from customers and then host an open house and invite friends and family to sample the product and make purchases.

Local Vendor

Get the product certified organic if that is part of the strategy. Approach stores like Whole Foods and give a sample to the store manager. Inquire about getting included in the local vendor program. List three to five stores that are independently owned and inquire about getting shelf space. Offer to conduct food demonstrations and hand out samples.

Marketing Ideas

Start an email list of friends, family, and customers through the local Farmers' Markets. Send updates on recipes and food demonstration times. Launch a basic Website with recipes and pictures of Connecticut to build relationships with readers.

Even if your food business is not a packaged product, maybe it will be a restaurant like DD Gyros in Hartford that I enjoyed.