I know I need to prepare the food in a certified kitchen and have a food-handlers card, but does anyone know the other licenses I may need or steps to take before I am able to sellthe food product in Oregon?
Most if not all farmers' market has an association. Go to the Farmers' Market that you want to sell at and talk to the market association, they can guide you through.
As far as the grocery store, that's much harder. I know that Trader's Joe has local store authority to make purchase decision. I don't know if Trader's Joe is in Oregon. You may offer them a batch for free to test the market.
There us an excellent book you may want to look through, it is called - From Kitchen to Market: Selling Your Gourmet Food Specialty, Stephen Hall. Look for the 4th edition if you can find it. It is the best book I've read on the topic.
Hi Traci
I have a sister in Portland area who has a vegan restaurant, which I could connect you two since your interest/business idea is on the nutrition consultation. There is a potential opportunity with the trendy vegan lifestyle in your local area and the demographic is very cautious and aware about what they intake too. This might be a good step to start to get your foot in.
After you have your own condiment, or meal plans, I would recommend you can sample them in the local grocery stores, and that will probably go easier if it's already used in some of the dishes/menu/ meal plans people are aware.
Though, your business idea seems very grand, my recommendation is to have it more specific in break down so you can be more focused too.
Selling to grocery stores are not that difficult, depending on which specific markets you are targetting to, and how big you want to go. For example, if you want to sell to local grocery stores/ co-op, the fastest and easiest way is just to go in the store, talk to the owner, prepare some samples, know your price, know the retail margin they usually have on your type of products, and know the price you sell to them that will still be profitable for you (may need to include tax, delivery, insurance, etc), and figure out a way for delivery if they like it. Hope this helps some! Good luck!
Sharon