Many small farms are also home-based businesses in the food industry. The Ontario government recently prepared resources to support home-based food businesses, the resources include a review of public health requirements that need to be followed.
Regulatory changes have been made to provide more flexibility for home businesses to sell home-prepared foods that are low-risk.
What are low risk foods? if the product does not require refrigeration it is likely to be considered low risk. The list of low risk items includes baked goods, brittles, chocolates, coffee beans, fudge, granola, jams, hard candies, pickles, preserves, tea leaves, toffees, and trail mix, as well as nuts and seeds.
All food premises must follow strict guidelines, as well as periodic inspections by their local public health unit. Home-based food businesses must follow two main guidelines:
A guide on beginning a home-based food business also exists.
"Starting a home-based food business is an excellent opportunity for people across Ontario to share their culinary creativity, build a business for themselves and be part of the province's agri-food sector," said Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "Our government is committed to encouraging this growing part of the economy and to support all the good things that are grown and produced right here in Ontario."
"For many local entrepreneurs, they start with a love of food and a cherished family recipe, whether it's grandma's apple pie or that new take on homegrown pickles, jams and preserves, and try and turn their passion into a successful business," said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction. "Our government applauds them for their vision and effort and we are doing everything we can to help them seize new opportunities without compromising Ontario's high standards for food safety."