New York City Home-Based Food Business Startup

1. New York City Home-Based Food Business Startup You should take into account a few fundamental legal considerations before opening a home-based food company in New York. For instance, you need to be aware of what foods you can cook at home, how to establish a company structure, how to apply for permissions and licenses, what to know about food safety, and how to get insurance. You must be aware of the regulations if you want to recruit staff. In order to run a home-based food company in New York, you must adhere to the guidelines for secure food handling and processing that are outlined in the pertinent publications listed on the website's Good Manufacturing Practices page. Making a Business Structure Decision Many food-related home companies are designed to be modestly sized. While New York, unlike many states, does not place a cap on the annual revenue your cottage food company may generate, the limitations on what you can produce and where you can sell it (see below) are likely to limit your earnings. Running your firm as a single proprietorship can be the only financially sound choice if it is extremely tiny. However, keep in mind that as a single owner, you are individually liable for every part of the company, from paying taxes to assuming the risk of a lawsuit in the event that one of your customers becomes sick or is injured due to your food goods.