I love baking and was hoping to make a little bit of money from this hobby.
Just an idea at the moment so I'm not sure where to start.
I'm guessing I'd need to go through some sort of food safety course.
Can I do my baking in my kitchen at home or does it have to be in a commercial kitchen?
Would appreciate all ideas/advice, TIA
Thanks QW3RTY :)
Will I have to set it up as a business with an ABN and everything or can I do without?
yes you will need an ABN, or you can do without, and evade tax.
I do imagine you need to set up a business name/ABN. All references on the food safety website seem to be made to "businesses".
It's best if you contact the NSW Food Authority for further questions.
Happy to be a taste tester if required.
A friend made custom birthday cakes from home. It was not a money making adventure. Especially when you factor in all the costs outside a wage (electricity, cleaning, etc)
I suggest you consider starting as a "hobby" to test the waters and see if you like baking for a business, and if there is demand for your product.
Get a stall at a local market (schools etc.), bake what you consider a reasonable quantity and range. Package appropriately.
Sell for cash on the day.
If you like it and make money, then do things like registering a business etc.
One other suggestion is many local schools have commercial kitchens (canteens) that are no longer used, or are used infrequently. You could come to an arrangement to operate a closed canteen one or two days a week for the kids, and have access to the facilities 7 days. This is what one small business did near here. I was a win/win.
Yeah I was thinking to keep it small like selling at a local market. But was wondering if I could be getting myself in trouble by selling my baked goods straight from my kitchen? Would I still have to comply exactly as outlined on the food and safety website? I've had friends ask me to bake stuff and was scared I was breaching some policies if I charged money so I didn't even bother to charge for the cost of my materials
But was wondering if I could be getting myself in trouble by selling my baked goods straight from my kitchen?
Most, if not all, markets will require you to show them relevant regulatory certificates before they'll let you have a food stall.
Even to do this as a hobby, because it's food, you'll have a bunch of requirements. Food/health/safety certifications for yourself are a must, the regulations on your kitchen are typically a local council requirement so it'll depend on your location. They often require certain regulations for your kitchen (eg food disposal methods, possibly separate fridges to ensure temperatures etc).
Don't be discouraged by this, it's all very doable and achievable. Speak to your local council, they'll point you in the right direction. Or even easier, go and speak to a local market stall holder - they'll happily tell you all the hoops you have to jump through (and likely help you with any helpful loopholes as well).
I've had friends ask me to bake stuff and was scared I was breaching some policies if I charged money so I didn't even bother to charge for the cost of my materials
Baking for friends and charging them a bit seems incredibly harmless. Technically it's breaking rules (business without ABN/tax declaration, selling food without regulatory requirements) but honestly, it seems very harmless and with next to zero risk.
Selling at a market / to the public, however, is a different story. In that case you need to obey all the rules for your OWN protection. There are a lot of litigious people out there that will try to pin their tummy bug on your food and unless you're covered appropriately you could easily get into trouble.
In short:
1) You'll need to be (or have) a Food Safety Supervisor (need to sit a course such as this one: https://www.foodsafetyfirst.com.au/landing/food-safety-super… )
2) You'll need an ABN - it's free and very simple: https://abr.gov.au/For-Business,-Super-funds---Charities/App…
3) You'll need to cover off council regulations (which may include kitchen/premises inspections, possibly development approvals if cooking from home etc)
4) For markets you'll also probably need insurance, but the markets will help you with this and will know what you need and who you can get it from
I'd have a bit of cash ready to start this up, insurance, courses, market fees etc all cost a bit of money. An initial slush of around $1k would be safe to get you going to see whether it's a viable hobby/side-business. Unfortunately, because it's food related, you can't "dip your toes in the water" as easily as you could with say, a sewing/craft business via Etsy or something similar. Food attracts quite a few rules and regulations (for obvious reasons).
Thanks for all the great tips and info! Makes perfect sense especially the bit about insurance - not easy doing business nowadays food or otherwise. I guess at least now I have somewhere to start :)
CAN YOU MAKE A BUTTIE
No need to YELL
Dare I say this but you will also need to have a list of ingredients for any food you prepare if you are wanting to sell.
This is to cover against litigation as well 'I ate your food and didn't know you used egg/flour/nuts/colouring etc in your cake'. Sadly this has been going a little overboard with companies covering backsides (I've seen may contain traces of peanuts on a packet of peanuts).
Here is everything you need in Victoria. http://www.business.vic.gov.au/setting-up-a-business/how-to-…
There are equivalent sites in each state, see https://ablis.business.gov.au/pages/home.aspx
Definitely not easy :( maybe I should have taken up sewing or some other craft instead
Hi one2three,
please pm me at [email protected]
I may be of assistance as I am product planning now for biscuits.
Cheers
Glen
Here you go.