Niche food supplier to cafés and shops

Cafés, delis, independent grocers, caterers and small restaurants that want a reliable local supplier and are happy to buy on a trade account.

You buy at wholesale prices and sell at a margin. Customers order weekly or monthly, and a few regular accounts can bring steady repeat orders.

• Selling and building relationships
• Pricing and keeping track of stock
• Reliable, organised deliveries

• Food business registration with your local council, and whether your state requires a food safety supervisor or training
• Whether your council allows storing and dispatching food from your home, and if you need home-based business approval
• Food Standards Code rules on labelling, storage and temperature control, especially for chilled products
• Public liability and product liability insurance
• Late-paying trade accounts, so set clear payment terms and check how much credit you give

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the product lines you choose, how much stock you buy up front and what storage or delivery setup you need. These figures are estimates only.

Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your product range, how many cafés, delis and caterers you supply and how often they reorder. The estimate starts from about 15 hours a week.

Check food business registration with your local council, and whether your state requires a food safety supervisor or training. Also check whether your council allows food storage and dispatch from home, and Food Standards Code rules on labelling, storage and temperature control.