If you’re passionate about food and have always dreamt of starting your own business from the comfort of your home, Georgia provides an excellent opportunity through its cottage food laws. However, you must first acquire a Cottage Food License. The process of obtaining a cottage license can seem daunting, but the reality is straightforward if you follow the right steps. This article breaks down the necessary steps for acquiring your Cottage License in Georgia via the Cottage Food License Application.
Becoming a homemade food entrepreneur in Georgia is not a difficult task. Especially for those planning to sell non-hazardous foods directly to consumers. The Cottage Food License permits individuals to manufacture, sell, and store certain types of food products in an unlicensed home kitchen. But how do you go about the process to get your Georgia Cottage Food License Application approved? Let’s unravel this step by step.
**Decide on the Food Product**
The first step in the cottage food license application process is deciding what type of food product you want to produce and sell. Georgia’s cottage food law permits only specific types of “non-potentially hazardous” foods. These include loaves of bread, cakes, cookies, pastries, candies, fruit pies, jams, jellies, and dried fruits, among others. If you aim to sell any items outside of this list, you’ll need to consider a different type of food license.
**Complete a Food Safety Training Course**
Before submitting your Georgia cottage food license application, you’ll need to complete a food safety training course. The University of Georgia Extension offers an approved food safety course online for both English and Spanish speakers. Successful completion of this course is essential if you wish to acquire a cottage food license.
**Prepare Your Kitchen**
Next, ensure your home kitchen adheres to Georgia’s Department of Agriculture environmental health criteria. Some of these requirements include having a clean, pest-free workspace, suitable trash containers, and a specific hand-washing setup. Remember, the Department of Agriculture has the right to inspect your kitchen at any time, so it’s in your best interest to maintain the standard.
**Label Your Food Products Accurately**
Georgia law requires that all cottage foods produced are correctly and accurately labeled. Each label needs to include the name and address of the cottage food operation, the name of the food product, the ingredients in the product, and the net weight and volume of the product. Also, ensure the text “Made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to Georgia’s food safety inspections” is clearly visible.
**Submit Your Georgia Cottage Food License Application**
With all those steps complete, you’re now ready to submit your Georgia Cottage Food License Application. The application will require you to provide information about your business, including contact details, operation type, product labels, and evidence of your completed food safety course.
To submit the application, visit the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s website and follow the instructions. Ensure all the details are accurate before submission to avoid any delay in the approval process.
**Pay the Licensing Fee**
After submitting your application, the next step will be paying the licensing fee to acquire the cottage food license. The fee can range between $50-$100 depending on the county in Georgia where your business resides. Payment could be made online after submission of your application.
**Wait for Approval**
Once you’ve done all of this, there is only one thing left to do: wait. The Georgia Department of Agriculture will review your cottage food license application to ensure it meets all necessary requirements, which could take several weeks.
Upon approval, you’ll receive your Georgia Cottage Food License and be legally permitted to start your home-based food business. The process may not be quick, but it’s straightforward and worth waiting for, especially for food-loving entrepreneurs with a desire to share their culinary creations with others.
To reiterate, acquiring your Cottage License in Georgia involves deciding on your food product, completing a food safety training course, getting your kitchen ready, and accurately labeling your items. Then, fill and submit your Cottage Food License Application, pay the licensing fee, and wait for the approval from the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
By following these steps carefully, you’ll be on your way to turning your hobby into a successful home-based business. Remember, great achievements take time, so be patient and give yourself room to adapt, learn, and grow.