gluten-free Baked Goods Small Business

[susieg-1]

I am thinking of starting my own small business out of my kitchen selling gluten-free baked goods. I live in a small lake side village that has a wonderful tourist customer base. I would market my baked goods to local bed and breakfasts, restuarants, and sell at farmers market.

My question is what specific ingredients are no no's for people with other food allergies??

Who can't have butter, eggs, corn, etc...

I wouldn't dare do nut free as it is such a life threatening allergy.

Any suggestions pertaining to running a home business would be great also!!!

[Mom23boys]

My question is what specific ingredients are no no's for people with other food allergies??

Who can't have butter, eggs, corn, etc...

I wouldn't dare do nut free as it is such a life threatening allergy.

Any suggestions pertaining to running a home business would be great also!!!

All foods can be just as life threatening as nuts. You just hear about the nuts more. For these people you have to be just as dedicated with separate utensils as celiacs have to be. Their allergens stay in the cracks like gluten.

My suggestion would be is to be very open about your kitchen procedures. Maybe dedicate a day for say egg free baking, explain your cleaning procedure or how you have red pans for egg free baking and use the green one for regular baking...that kind of info.

[irish daveyboy]

I am thinking of starting my own small business out of my kitchen selling gluten-free baked goods. I live in a small lake side village that has a wonderful tourist customer base. I would market my baked goods to local bed and breakfasts, restuarants, and sell at farmers market.

My question is what specific ingredients are no no's for people with other food allergies??

Who can't have butter, eggs, corn, etc...

I wouldn't dare do nut free as it is such a life threatening allergy.

Any suggestions pertaining to running a home business would be great also!!!

Hi 'susieq_1',

If you intend supplying Coffee Shops, Markets and B&B

and once you kitchen has been cleared by the Dept of Health for use as a home industry/business.

.

1. Make the items your best at and are confident that will be consistently good.

2. List ALL ingredients (even the pinch of salt).

3. Make sure individual portions are wrapped.

.

You will never be able to cater to Egg Free one week,

then yeast free the next etc

the cost of complete clean down would be prohibitive (and you'll NEVER make money),

.

if you give a full clear and exact list of ingredients it is better,

even have a part on the label that states contains then list the potential allergens.

.

That's what I'd do anyway.

.

Best Regards,

David

[susieg-1]

Awesome input!!! More? Thanks! I agree that gluten-free only may be the most cost effective way to go

[home-based-mom]

If you do a Google search for home baking business ebooks you will turn up a bunch of ebooks which I'm sure are not free and also it looks like some articles that probably are free.

Tweak your search terms and probably find more and different info.

Make sure you do all your research, including playing "devil's advocate" before you start up.

I think this is a great idea! Go for it!

[lorka150]

Here you have to have a separate, certified kitchen. I suggest you contact the Health Dept. just to make sure of the regulations there

[susieg-1]

Here you have to have a separate, certified kitchen. I suggest you contact the Health Dept. just to make sure of the regulations there

I am fortunate to have a separate home that we only use as a vacation spot and not far from main residence. Your post has me thinking that it may be best to use the kitchen there as conditions can be better controlled. We do not rent to outsiders and only use property ourselves. Hummmmm (my thinking face)

[sickchick]

I AM SO EXCITED susie!!! I'd do it if my gi symptoms could get under control... lol

Sending you tons of blessings and positive energy

[RiceGuy]

Not to be discouraging, but...

Although it can be very rewarding, and maybe even profitable, the comments about getting your facility approved is quite true. You can't simply start selling food items of any kind without first jumping through some hoops in order to make it legal. AFAIK, it doesn't matter whether you sell only locally, or whether you sell one or a million items.

You'll need to look up how to get the certification for your area/state, but a quick Google turned up the following, which should give you some idea of what the requirements might be, and where to look for more info:

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

I hope it works out for you, and it would be great to hear how it goes.

[susieg-1]

Not to be discouraging, but...

Although it can be very rewarding, and maybe even profitable, the comments about getting your facility approved is quite true. You can't simply start selling food items of any kind without first jumping through some hoops in order to make it legal. AFAIK, it doesn't matter whether you sell only locally, or whether you sell one or a million items.

You'll need to look up how to get the certification for your area/state, but a quick Google turned up the following, which should give you some idea of what the requirements might be, and where to look for more info:

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

I hope it works out for you, and it would be great to hear how it goes.

Thanks soooooo much for all the insightful posts!!!! I made an appointment today with local SCOPE organization of retired businesspersons that volunteer to assist in the start-up of new businesses, eg..marketing, business plan, financing etc... I am really excited as I have a bachelor of science degree in business management but did not learn much in college about small business start-up. I am of course hoping to one day turn a profit but am very interested in making gluten-free baked goods available to the people (like myself) that need them.

I know from traveling how difficult it can be to eat at bed & breakfast and there are many such establishments in my area so I assume other celiacs like myself who can benefit from my baked goods. Of course educating Innkeepers etc. about the importance of no cc will be part of my business. Please keep the posts coming

[lcbannon]

Hi- I once started and ran for 3 years a home bakery/catering business. A few tips.

1. It is hard work, return for your money esp on baked goods because of work involved is not high. Having said that it is very satisfying and you may very well get into catering etc.

2. Quality Ingredients in will equal Quality out, in other words, if you try to cut corners and use cheaper ingredients it will tell. Go for the best.

3. I started in our home however it got too big and too much stress in the home ( I was always at work) The offsite kitchen is a much better idea.

4. Enjoy the process but be flexible. We put out flyers of our offered baked goods and the first orders were for items we had never made (Raison Pie and a Brown Sugar Cake) Well, I found recipes for them and off we went.

Good Luck and you can always ask ?? here.

Note- I have lots of recipies I would be happy to share- I have converted quite a few of our best sellers to gluten-free with no problem.

[bakingbarb]

I was going to do the home based baking business but the rules here are this; a kitchen not used for any other purpose ever, separate entrance from the rest of the home, separate bathroom and its own appliances.

One option is to find a local kitchen that rents to others, for example there is an ad on craigslist here for a fully certified kitchen. If you use your own pans, bowls and such then cc won't be an issue as you are the only one using the kitchen at a time.

Here is a link to a group of people doing the same. I haven't been on there in a while since I gave up trying to bake at home.

Open Original Shared Link

Also, if you want to do mail order don't forget ebay, amazon and esty.

Best of luck.

[susieg-1]

Hi- I once started and ran for 3 years a home bakery/catering business. A few tips.

1. It is hard work, return for your money esp on baked goods because of work involved is not high. Having said that it is very satisfying and you may very well get into catering etc.

2. Quality Ingredients in will equal Quality out, in other words, if you try to cut corners and use cheaper ingredients it will tell. Go for the best.

3. I started in our home however it got too big and too much stress in the home ( I was always at work) The offsite kitchen is a much better idea.

4. Enjoy the process but be flexible. We put out flyers of our offered baked goods and the first orders were for items we had never made (Raison Pie and a Brown Sugar Cake) Well, I found recipes for them and off we went.

Good Luck and you can always ask ?? here.

Note- I have lots of recipies I would be happy to share- I have converted quite a few of our best sellers to gluten-free with no problem.

How about a really good breakfast muffin recipe? I am thinking of marketing to local B&B's and had tweaked a blueberry muffin recipe but have not used in a while (I have gone sugar free) and cannot locate the recipe

[susieg-1]

I was going to do the home based baking business but the rules here are this; a kitchen not used for any other purpose ever, separate entrance from the rest of the home, separate bathroom and its own appliances.

One option is to find a local kitchen that rents to others, for example there is an ad on craigslist here for a fully certified kitchen. If you use your own pans, bowls and such then cc won't be an issue as you are the only one using the kitchen at a time.

Here is a link to a group of people doing the same. I haven't been on there in a while since I gave up trying to bake at home.

Open Original Shared Link

Also, if you want to do mail order don't forget ebay, amazon and esty.

Best of luck.

thanks for the link I pasted the following from the website HOW ENCOURAGING IS THIS

YOUR PRICE POINT - Planning what you are going to bake should include some research on your competition, how much it costs you to bake your goodies and how much you can sell them for. Your price point is the top price that your customers will pay for your goods or services.

I think you would agree that it would make little sense to plan on baking white bread and expecting a customer to pay $4.00 a loaf when they can buy the same thing at the grocery store for less than half that price. In the case of white bread, your cost for ingredients and the cost of your time exceeds the retail price of commercially made white bread. Your price point is too high.

But, on the other hand, you make a great gluten free all natural bread that is difficult to find at any grocery store. $4.00 a loaf may be a bargain, sell like hotcakes, and have a profitable price point.

unfortunately, the forum is currently unavailable from this site

[bakingbarb]

thanks for the link I pasted the following from the website HOW ENCOURAGING IS THIS

YOUR PRICE POINT - Planning what you are going to bake should include some research on your competition, how much it costs you to bake your goodies and how much you can sell them for. Your price point is the top price that your customers will pay for your goods or services.

I think you would agree that it would make little sense to plan on baking white bread and expecting a customer to pay $4.00 a loaf when they can buy the same thing at the grocery store for less than half that price. In the case of white bread, your cost for ingredients and the cost of your time exceeds the retail price of commercially made white bread. Your price point is too high.

But, on the other hand, you make a great gluten free all natural bread that is difficult to find at any grocery store. $4.00 a loaf may be a bargain, sell like hotcakes, and have a profitable price point.

unfortunately, the forum is currently unavailable from this site

I don't know why the forum is closed, they had some pretty decent info on there. I think its been down for awhile then. It could have been a great resource.

Let us know how you do with this. I have given up on selling home baked goods "legally" as it isn't possible for me to do so. If someone wants to buy something I bake I am not going to tell them no though.

My sister told me a way around it though, you are selling the packaging not the cake in the package. This is what her daughter does in Texas, sells the packaging and delivery etc but not the cake. I guess its a common way to there to get around it.

[lcbannon]

Each States rules are diff- here in Kansas you can have a bakery in your home.

As far as the muffin recipe- wish I did have one but 15-20 years ago here in Ks breakfast muffins were just not that big a deal- Now chocolate we can talk-- cookies and cakes I have converted well.

[susieg-1]

I don't know why the forum is closed, they had some pretty decent info on there. I think its been down for awhile then. It could have been a great resource.

Let us know how you do with this. I have given up on selling home baked goods "legally" as it isn't possible for me to do so. If someone wants to buy something I bake I am not going to tell them no though.

My sister told me a way around it though, you are selling the packaging not the cake in the package. This is what her daughter does in Texas, sells the packaging and delivery etc but not the cake. I guess its a common way to there to get around it.

Interesting I am meeting with a retired business woman tomarrow that volunteers to help start-up businesses and I hope she has some insight. I am sure she will give me homework to do. will keep yu posted

[susieg-1]

Each States rules are diff- here in Kansas you can have a bakery in your home.

As far as the muffin recipe- wish I did have one but 15-20 years ago here in Ks breakfast muffins were just not that big a deal- Now chocolate we can talk-- cookies and cakes I have converted well.

I could use really good brownie and cupcake recipe. Who doesn't love chocolate!!

[irish daveyboy]

I could use really good brownie and cupcake recipe. Who doesn't love chocolate!!

.

Hi Susieg 1,

if you go to my Web Space, there are recipes there feel free to use any you like.

.

Best Regards,

David

[susieg-1]

.

Hi Susieg 1,

if you go to my Web Space, there are recipes there feel free to use any you like.

.

Best Regards,

David

thanks I will check them out

[susieg-1]

Each States rules are diff- here in Kansas you can have a bakery in your home.

As far as the muffin recipe- wish I did have one but 15-20 years ago here in Ks breakfast muffins were just not that big a deal- Now chocolate we can talk-- cookies and cakes I have converted well.

Meeting with business consultant went well. Her research shows that I can bake in my home as long as I dont do internet sales. I certainly need to build up to that ambitious of a market anyway. She gave me some homework, phone calls to make, cost analysis, etc... We agreed farmers markets may be a really good way to start and I will be contacting some local B&B's and restaurants to supply some free samples to determine interest is my products. I can give away as many free samples as I want with no regulations, repercussions. Now I need to start baking as I have recently given up carbs to try to lose pre-dx weight gain. Too bad NY is expected to have 90 degree weather the next few days!!! baking will have to wait till next week

[babysteps]

Meeting with business consultant went well.

Very exciting! Good luck Looking forward to progress updates