Hello to all,
My wife and I have a great cookie we would like to begin to sell but we dont know what type of legal permits, licenses, ect. we need to get started. Actually we dont even know where to look for this info. I guess thats what brings us to this forum. If anyone out there have even the smallest bit of advice we would greaty apreciate it. Who knows maybe you will one day you will enjoy one of our fabulous cookies. Have great New Year.
O.J

No one can give you any reasonable answer unless they know the state where you will be baking the cookies. All health/food regulations for baked goods will be dependent on your location.

What Louisiana, California, or Idaho would require only matter if you live in one of those states.

I'd suggest your first stop would be in your immediate area. Look for an Economic Development office there, possible co-located with the local Chamber of Commerce or on the nearest university campus.

If those turn up no help, then check with the tax office in your state.

Lastly, call SCORE, Service Core of Retired Executives and schedule any appointment for learn more about start-up, writing a business plan, financing, and marketing your business. If you haven't found the health/food regulations, they should be able to connect you to the right people for that as well.

Or for a direct line to the health inspectors, ask a friend connected with a restaurant, cafe, diner, or coffee shop for the contact info for their business.

You may find the only affordable way to start is to find a commercial kitchen that you can rent in the off hours, as cooking facilities can be very expensive to build.

Dennis Bevers
www.CuttingEdgeAdvertising.com

If you are really serious about starting your own business, a website is necessary. Please visit http://thamiltonsblog.blogspot.com/
for more information

There is a free forum for cookie business owners. You can ask any questions you like there.

The address is: http://cookiebakersinternational.ning.com/

It's free to join, and you can benefit from the advise of all the members.

Hope this helps.

Tiffany
The Cookie Blog

Please take a peek at HomeBasedBaking.com, http://homebasedbaking.com it a website dedicated to helping food entrepreneurs start their home-based food processing business, just browse the site, lots of great information and you can chat live with the staff.