How to start a home-based food business in New Zealand

Can I sell food from home in New Zealand?

Yes, you can absolutely sell food from your home in New Zealand – though there are some things to keep in mind. The Ministry for Primary Industries even has a list of steps that you can follow. 

Here are the steps: 

1. Find out the rules and figure out if you qualify for an exemption. You can use the My Food Rules tool to figure out which legal Act you have to follow. There are exceptions though if you sell packaged food, homegrown produce, do small scale catering less than 20 times a year, or fundraising for less than 20 times a year. For more information, you can see the information sheet from MPI here. If you’re exempted, you do not have to do steps 2 through 4 below.
2. Create a plan or programme to make safe and suitable food (if not exempt). With the same My Food Rules above, you can make a plan for your business as well.
3. Register your business (if not exempt). The tool can also help you register by telling you where to register. You also have the option to register with either the MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries) or your local council.
4. Get checked (if not exempt). If you’re operating under the Food Act 2014, you’ll need to have your plan or programme checked by a verifier. The MPI has a video explaining how verification works.
5. Set up an online store, or sell your food at a farmer’s market.If you’re selling at an in-person event like a farmer’s market, you may or may not need to register, and if you don’t, you can apply for an exemption. This document from the MPI has more details on whether you need to register or not. Alternatively, you could set up a store online with an e-commerce service like FormPay.
6. Promote your business. The final thing to do is to let everyone know about your business. You can start with word of mouth by telling your family and friends, then reach more people with social media. Check out this article for more tips on how to promote your business. 

Can I sell food from home in NZ online?

Yes, you can sell food you make from home online in New Zealand. However, unless you qualify for an exemption, you need to ensure that you are registered with MPI or your local council. You also must have a food control plan and your home premises inspected so that you aren’t putting the public at risk.

If you’re cleared to be able to sell food from home online, we recommend that you use an online food sales tool such as FormPay to help you keep track of your orders and customers. Your clients can self-serve and pick from a menu of your food. FormPay is used by independent food businesses like G Sweets and Uncle Tim’s Delicacies to help them run their operations more easily so they can focus on what they do best — make delicious food.

How to be a home baker in New Zealand?

For selling baked goods specifically, the MPI has an example of a home baker who has a business baking and selling decorated cakes from her home, having registered her plan with her local council with a template by the MPI. 

How much is a food licence in New Zealand?

The price of the registration depends on whether you’re registering with the MPI or your local council, and also where you live if you register with your council. 

MPI fees are listed here. 

How to start a home-based food business in New South Wales

In New South Wales, you can pretty much follow the same steps as above. Specifically, the NSW government has a fact sheet with other details that apply to NSW specifically, and this site from the government has more information too. 

How to start a home-based food business in Auckland

In Auckland, the government also has a webpage that tells you more about what specifically applies in Auckland. 

Summary

Fortunately, it’s pretty easy to start a home-based food business in New Zealand. Depending on where you live, your local government probably has information for you to easily figure out the steps you need to take in order to begin. After registering, all you’ll have to do is to sell your food in-person at events like farmer’s markets, or make an online store with a service like FormPay and you’re all set. 

Resources

Home-based food business fact sheet

Home-based and mixed businesses | NSW Food Authority

Running a home-based food business

Thinking of starting a new food business? | NZ Government

Producing food for sale | New Zealand Government

Food Act case studies | NZ Government

Starting a food business | NZ Government

Food Act 2014 | NZ Government