Expert: Carol Schlitt - 10/2/2007

Question
Hi!
My sisters and I are interested in baking cookies and selling them to small food businesses in the area. How do we begin? What type(S) of license or inspection do we need?
We live in the Chicagoland area. How do we go about obtaining an already approved kitchen outside our home? What resources are available such as the extension programs you have mentioned in previously answered questions?


Thank you!!!!


Answer
Hi JoAnn,

Ah...how do you begin setting up a food business?  Of course, the first step is to develop a product, doing market research to see what is the potential for selling the product, develop a business plan, secure funding, secure a certified kitchen, develop quantity recipe, determine packaging, labeling and shelf life, etc. etc. etc.

I suggest you first start by reading a book entitled " From Kitchen to Market: Selling Your Gourmet Food Specialty" by Stephen Hall.  It will help you in forming your food business.

As far as finding an approved kitchen for rent in the Chicago area, I would check out "Kitchen Chicago" at  http://www.kitchenchicago.com/  They specialize in renting out kitchens to food entrepreneurs.

University of Illinois Extension often provides training for potential small business owners in helping them to write their business plan, etc.  I am in Southern Illinois so can not speak directly for the programs in the Chicago area but I suggest you check out the Cook County website that deals directly with small business development: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/civic.html

Good luck.  If I can be of further assistance, please let me know.  My email address is cschlitt@uiuc.edu.

Carol