ARRRGGGGHHHH!!!! I'm getting so frustrated w/this whole business at my home (garage/seperate building on property) thing! I've been calling around for the past month and seemed to be getting pretty good info...until today!! I called someone w/the dept. of Ag...who I was referred to by Food Safety. She said EVERYTHING I was told by Food Safety was WRONG!!! How could that be!!! Don't they have the same rules!!! Then goes on to tell me that maybe this isn't the right ventre for me and I should look at other options!! I told her the other options were NOT options for me and this is what I wanted to do. I just need to know where I'm suppose to start. I told her I understand there alot of requirements and was willing to do what I need to....but need someone to tell me, the right things, to do to basically get the ball rolling!!!

She is sending me a packet to look over and think (yeah, she said to THINK )about everything I'm going to need to do. I told her I've read through everything online and thought I had a good understanding of what I was going to need...and was prepared to do what I have to!!

Just talking to everyone it seems fairly easy and straightforward, but I work for the gov't. I know this is going to turn into a HUGE headache for someone who isn't familiar w/those specific rules/regs. I think they do that b/c they know most people won't bother w/it.

Now to my point.....does anyone know if there are people out there who help start these type of businesses?? What do I look under in the phone book?? I don't want someone who will do it all....just provide more quidance than I've been getting. I was thinking about talking to some small cafe/bakery type businesses....but not sure they will really help. We've been approved for the loan (we close next week ), I have my husband on board, someone willing to do the construction work for me....and I'm ready to start!!!! But if I have to keep making all these stupid phone calls just to figure what I need to do FIRST....I'll never get anywhere!!!!

I can't advise about a consultant, but it might be easiest if you just schedule an inspection.

In many states, domestic bakeries are licensed by the department of Ag. They have inspectors who come out and review your set-up. If you can talk to an actual inspector first, that would be where you will get the most reliable information. Generally, one person is responsible for a particular area.

If you are planning to build a commercial-style operation, the health department would be the inspector. And again, that is the person to consult.

I had a domestic bakery in another home, before I put a kitchen in my garage. The health department was extremely helpful, and before, the AG inspector was a big help.

I think you should go by whatever agency is the one to license you and get someone to come over and talk to you or bring your plans and talk to them in person.

I started at the county inspectors office, they were extremly helpful. Then on to the country health department. I went Thursday and picked up all the regulations. Not to bad here in TN. He said as well as the inspectors that I needed to give them a basic idea of what I am planning and the cost, the inspectors need to inspect all the electric and plumbing before it is covered up. The health inspector said he needed the plans as well as to what I was putting in plumbing wise and would need to inpect as well once everything was in. All of the people I have talked to were very helpful. As well as the Chamber of Commerce Business Resource Center in my town. They have a retired guy in there and I have talked to him twice (for free) and he is advising me.

Good luck to you, I can feel your pain. Setting up a business it not easy on your emotions, hang in there.

First, before you do anything else, is to go to the county city hall and apply for a business license. There, they would tell you what the next step would be, such as going for certification classes in order to work with food, and where to take the classes, what rules and regulations you'd have to follow in order to construct your seperate kitchen, and they will send an inspector to verify, and finally they will issue your business license, as well as your EIN. ( employer's identification number ), and you can register your business name. Good Luck!
Emi

Sorry you're having so many problems! The dept of Agriculture is such a pain to deal with! I don't think the county health dept can be of much help, except to give you the number of the dept of Ag. Everything is run through them, at least that's what I've been told. They sent me a book...probably over 200 pages. It will make you're head spin! They might be able to send someone to talk to you. I know if you want them to review your building plans it will cost at least $200.00, I can't remember for sure.