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Starting a Food Business

Information from UC 

California - Resources for Processing Foods

The following California organizations have collaborated on the new resources below for small-scale farmers and processors on how to produce your product safely and in compliance with applicable state and federal regulations: Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), University of California Department of Food Science & Technology (UC Davis FST), UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) and the Western Regional Center for Food Safety (WRCEFS).

  • Value-Added On-Farm Processing - Regulatory ConsiderationsThis flow diagram developed in collaboration with Community Alliance with Family Farmers guides the user to relevant Federal and California regulations based on food type and size of the business. Examples and a flow chart help farmers understand multiple state and federal regulations.  (PDF 1.8 MB)
  • Permit Timeline Resources - What to do and when you should do it
    • California Processed Food Registration timeline: This document developed in collaboration with Community Alliance with Family Farmers provides information on the steps, length of time required, and cost of obtaining a California Processed Food Registration. (Web version with active hyperlinks, PDF 682 KB)
    • California Cannery License timeline: This document developed in collaboration with Community Alliance with Family Farmers provides information on the steps, length of time required, and cost of obtaining a California Cannery License. (Web version with active hyperlinks, PDF 733 KB)
    • free webinar to explain the timeline documents above.

Co-Packers Database (UC Food Quality).  This database provides a partial list of co-packers with an emphasis on those located in California, with a link to a nationwide listing. Link to all 18 categories in the database.

Packaging Containers Database (UC Food Quality) This database provides a partial list of packaging container companies with an emphasis on those located in California. 

California Cottage Food Operations (University of California Cooperative Extension)

Food Loss and Waste Collaborative (UC Davis)

General

California - Resources for Processing Foods

The following California organizations have collaborated on the new resources below for small-scale farmers and processors on how to produce your product safely and in compliance with applicable state and federal regulations: Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), University of California Department of Food Science & Technology (UC Davis FST), UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) and the Western Regional Center for Food Safety (WRCEFS).

  • Value-Added On-Farm Processing - Regulatory ConsiderationsThis flow diagram developed in collaboration with Community Alliance with Family Farmers guides the user to relevant Federal and California regulations based on food type and size of the business. Examples and a flow chart help farmers understand multiple state and federal regulations.  (PDF 1.8 MB)
  • Permit Timeline Resources - What to do and when you should do it
    • California Processed Food Registration timeline: This document developed in collaboration with Community Alliance with Family Farmers provides information on the steps, length of time required, and cost of obtaining a California Processed Food Registration. (Web version with active hyperlinks, PDF 682 KB)
    • California Cannery License timeline: This document developed in collaboration with Community Alliance with Family Farmers provides information on the steps, length of time required, and cost of obtaining a California Cannery License. (Web version with active hyperlinks, PDF 733 KB)
    • free webinar to explain the timeline documents above.

Co-Packers

Co-packers are food processors that have extra manufacturing capacity and offer their services for a fee. This is often an attractive option for people starting in the food business. The product and its package must be matched to the co-packer and its available equipment. Co-packers often offer additional services such as product development (often critical to scaling up the volume of product produced), label review, and regulatory compliance.

Cottage Foods 

Food Entrepreneur Programs (University or State-affiliated) 

Food Incubators

A food incubator can provide a number of services that often include access to a shared-use licensed commercial space that is certified for food production. Renters or members can use this space by the hour or day to produce food. Other services such as product development, development of business plans, and regulatory guidance may be available.  

Food Packaging and Labeling (also see Labeling Regulations)

Food & Packaging Waste

Food Properties

Product Development

Sanitation