Anyone know the laws/requirements for selling homegrown/made produce on your doorstep

dbt3mummy

I have started expanding my little small holding and this summer I had a massive glut heihc I've urged into jams and chutneys as well as stocking up my freezer.

Does anyone know the legal requirements or point me in the direction of criteria I need to fulfill to be legally able to sell from my doorstep.

I keep chickens and already know how I'm covered to sell my eggs but I'm finding it hard to pinpoint what I need to do for homegrown fruit and veg, and jams, chutneys etc. All homegrown food is from my garden and not from an allotment.

I'll also be selling homemade crafty items. And plants come next spring.

I've tried googling it but it's not very clear cut.

Apologises if this is posted in the wrong place! I have tried on the up your income forum but bought it might be better placed here.

I really do hope someone can help

lostinrates

you can't sell jams and chutneys

Basically anything that hasn't had a ''proceedure'' so no cooing, bottling, dehydrating. you can pot up plants and I have no idea about craft items as gate sales.

freezspirit

From overhearing a conversation on the bus a few months back, this information might help:

A food hygiene certificate.
A local environmental health visit/inspection to conform with cleanliness of preparation area (kitchen) and sterilising procedures for cooking and storing product.
Correct information clearly displayed on the jars label. I believe your name or company name and address, product name, best before date/or what year was made and a full list of ingredients.

There might have been more but I had to get off the bus at my stop.

RAS

Hi

If you sell processed foods you have to meet minimum standards; unprocessed foods (fruit, veg, flowers, eggs and plants) are easier to sell at your gate.

If you want to add value and sell processed foods including jams and chutneys, probably the best place to start is the old WI markets now trading as http://www.country-markets.co.uk/

Check out but I think jams and chutneys have to be in standard sized jars with new lids.

dbt3mummy

Thank you so much for your responses!

I will definately take a look at the WI website and may pluck up the courage to go along to a local meeting and check it out.

I thought stuff that had been "processed" would be a stumbling block but I suppose we all have to start somewhere!

RAS

Hi

The WI no longer run the markets; they moved them off sideways some time ago.

But a lot of WIers will sell on country markets.

Davesnave

We sold through WI Country Markets for some years; in fact DW helped set a new one up. It's a great way of getting in front of a good 'audience' and learning the tricks of the trade. I think they used to take 10%.

They will help you get your food cert and your kitchen inspected, if you wish.

Gate sales are fine if you have easy parking and are in a place where people will actually stop.;)

They're even better if you live somewhere that can be self-service without the proceeds walking off too! There's not so many of those around as there used to be, though.