Looking to start a home-based food business? Starting a food business from home is a great way to chase after your passion for food as it is a cheaper and convenient option compared to other options.
In this blog, we share 5 home-based food business ideas that you can try! But first, make sure you know what council classify as a home-based business in Australia! If you miss this, it may affect your ability to obtain your home-based food licence.
What is a Home Based Food Business?
Simply speaking, a home-based food business is any ‘shelf-life’ food business that is made and sold from your home. That includes foods such as cakes, spices, jams etc.
An easy way to understand this: is if you can’t store it on a shelf, you can’t sell it to the public under the home based food business licence.
Yes, that means no curries, noodles, or soups! Those types of food businesses fall into different types of licences and requirements. Make sure to contact us at Food Agent if you want help getting the right licencing for those types of food businesses!
Now that we understand what home-based food businesses include, here are our top 5 picks of home based food businesses ideas to you can start!
Home based food business idea 1: Baked goods
If you have a passion for baking, you could start a home-based business selling baked goods. Whether you make breads, cookies, cakes, or pastries. As long as you have all the equipment you need at home, then you should be all good to get a food business agent like Food Agent Australia to help you get your home based food business licence approved!
Home based food business idea 2: Jams and preserves*
When life gives you lemons, why not make jam? If you’re looking to ‘spread’ your passion for food, why not start out with a jam business! All you need is some fruit and sugar.
You could start the business producing and selling your own specialty jams and sell them from your home to your family, friends, neighbours and more!
Home based food business idea 3: Sauces and condiments
Another home-based food business idea to try out can be sauces and condiments! That’s one that one of our clients here at Food Agent Australia helped to set up their home based food business licence for.
The client wanted to make and sell Soy Sauces. As it was a shelf-life item, Food Agent was able to secure a home based food business licence for him.
If you have a recipe for a unique sauce or condiment that you love to make, you could start a home-based business producing and selling those products too!
Home based food business idea 4: Dried spices and seasoning blends*
If you enjoy experimenting with different spices and blends, you could start a home-based food business producing and selling your own dried spices and seasoning blends.
All you need is an air dryer to get started. You could sell all sorts of dried herbs and spices from your home! If you’re feeling adventurous, you might want to try your hand at a dual food licence and sell your herbs and spices at the local markets as well.
Although combination food licences have different requirements, Food Agent has helped plenty of our clients obtain theirs to sell from home and at markets as well! Feel free to reach out to us and we’d be happy to help you too!
Home based food business idea 5: Pickled vegetables*
If you have a recipe for delicious pickled vegetables, you could start a home-based business producing and selling your own pickled products. Pickled vegetables are a very unique type of business as you have people who either love them, or hate them.
The people that love them would be the perfect customers for your new pickled vegetables business. If you’re looking for something that doesn’t require much of a cookbook to create, this could be the perfect food business for you!
5 Home Based Food Business Ideas – which should you pick?
Each of these ideas give you the opportunity to work from home and turn your love of food into a successful business.
Whether you’re interested in baking breads and pastries, there are different ways to create a successful home-based food business from your cooking skills. \
In general, with any home-based food business, you need the right licence to legally operate here in Queensland. Make sure to reach out to Food Agent Australia to get the right licence for you!
*Please note that for some of these food business ideas, not all councils allow homebased businesses that process fruits/vegetables. Home based business ideas are assessed on a case by case basis so make sure to contact Food Agent Australia for further information.
