Food business ideas you can run out and about in Canada
103 ideas
These 105 food business ideas take you to your customers instead of waiting for them to find a shop. They suit people who like talking to the public, can handle early starts and weather, and want to test a product before signing a commercial lease.
Dessert stall at markets and events
Serve made-to-order sweets and drinks from a stall or cart at farmers' markets, festivals and pop-ups.
- C$6k-25k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Açaí bowl market stall or cart
Sell açaí bowls and smoothies from a stall, cart or pop-up at farmers' markets, festivals and summer events.
- C$8k-35k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Farmers' market produce stall
Sell fresh fruit and vegetables from a stall at weekend markets without paying for a shop.
- C$1.5k-7k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Dried fruit and nut market stall
Sell dried fruit, nuts and snack mixes at farmers' markets and seasonal fairs, without renting a shop.
- C$3k-10k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Market stall and local meat delivery
Sell fresh cuts and prepared meats at farmers' markets and by pre-order delivery, with no shop lease to carry.
- C$15k-60k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Organic food market stall
Sell organic produce and packaged foods at farmers' markets and community events to test demand at low cost.
- C$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Rice and grain supplier to restaurants
Supply bulk rice and grains by delivery to restaurants, caterers and food trucks from a small storage unit.
- C$8k-40k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Early-morning dairy round for cafes
Buy milk, cream and butter from a licensed source and deliver to local cafes and small shops on a set weekly route.
- C$2k-8k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Local dairy distributor with a refrigerated van
Deliver milk, cheese and yogurt from small local dairies to restaurants, cafes and independent grocers in a refrigerated van.
- C$25k-90k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Churro stall for markets and events
Fry fresh churros with chocolate dip at farmers' markets, festivals and community events.
- C$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Fruit and fresh juice market stall
Sell fruit cups, fresh juice and fruit snacks from a stall at farmers' markets and local events.
- C$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Farmers' market ham and cured meats stall
Sell hams and cured meats from a chilled market stall, with a low-cost way to test demand before renting a shop.
- C$5k-20k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Fish and chips food truck
Serve fish and chips from a truck or trailer at events, markets and busy spots, with lower costs than a shop.
- C$25k-90k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Doughnut market and pop-up stall
Bake doughnuts in a licensed kitchen and sell them at markets, fairs and pop-ups.
- C$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Pop-up ham and charcuterie bar
Run a ham and charcuterie counter inside a brewery, wine bar or market on set nights, with no lease of your own.
- C$4k-20k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Pop-up tapas nights
Test a tapas concept with ticketed pop-up evenings at breweries, bars or hired spaces before committing to a lease.
- C$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Market stall patisserie
Bake in a rented commercial kitchen and sell pastries at weekend farmers' markets and local events.
- C$2k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Office lunch sandwich catering
Make sandwiches and wraps to pre-order and deliver to offices, meetings and events.
- C$3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Gourmet popcorn market stall
Make flavoured popcorn in a licensed kitchen and sell it at markets, fairs and events.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Chocolate drinks market stall
Serve hot chocolate and dessert treats from a stall or kiosk at markets, festivals and winter events.
- C$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Fruit wholesale delivery to local businesses
Buy fresh fruit in bulk and deliver it weekly to restaurants, cafés and small grocers.
- C$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Rice cracker market stall
Sell tasting-friendly rice crackers and savoury snacks at farmers' markets, night markets and seasonal fairs.
- C$1.5k-5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Off-hours kitchen sharing in an existing kitchen
Arrange to rent out a licensed kitchen, like a restaurant or hall, during quiet hours to small food businesses.
- C$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Cookie stall at farmers' and seasonal markets
Bake in a licensed kitchen and sell fresh cookies at weekend farmers' markets, festivals and Christmas markets.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
About these ideas
You might begin with a market stall patisserie, a pretzel stall for markets and events, or a mobile pizza truck or trailer. Start by thinking about where you would sell and how often. Seasonal markets, festivals and work sites all have different rhythms. Then look at your equipment, storage and transport needs, because these shape your startup costs more than the recipe does. Finally, find out what food safety training, permits and site fees your city or province asks for, since the rules vary from place to place.
More ideas
- Kids' party food platters from a licensed kitchen
- Full-service kids' party buffet at the venue
- Food trailer at events and markets
- Market stall food seller
- Lunch van for work sites and industrial parks
- Candy stall at markets and events
- Contract-brewed beer brand
- Local seafood supplier with a refrigerated van
- Pre-order salad and bowl delivery
- Local meal delivery for seniors and busy households
- Takoyaki stall at markets and festivals
- Takoyaki cart or trailer
- Pop-up art cafe at markets and events
- Condiment and sauce delivery supplier
- Bottled water delivery route
- Juice and smoothie stand
- Paan stall for events and festivals
- Local oyster delivery to restaurants and fishmongers
- Small-event caterer from a licensed kitchen
- Mobile pizza truck or trailer
- Farmers' market fresh pasta stall
- Panipuri stall at markets and festivals
- Live panipuri station for parties and events
- Farmers' market cheese stall
- Steamed bun market stall
- Smoothie cart for markets and events
- Mobile coffee cart or kiosk
- Nuts and trail mix market stall
- Fresh-pressed apple cider for markets and shops
- Event dessert buffet service
- Pop-up sweets and dessert stand
- Market stall butcher and deli
- Hot dog cart at a busy spot
- Weekend and event hot dog stand
- Farmers' market fish stall
- Market stall fruit and veg seller
- Fruit and veg box delivery
- Mobile wood-fired pizza trailer
- Full-service wedding buffet caterer
- Rock and hard candy market stall
- Japanese sweets market stall
- Japanese deli market stall
- Boutique wine agent and importer
- Pop-up cosplay café on weekends
- Part-time rice supply round
- Local meat supplier with a refrigerated van
- Market and festival food stall
- Street food cart on a regular spot
- Pop-up comic café
- Market stall pastry baker
- Local mineral water delivery route
- Wholesale grocery delivery route for local shops
- Pop-up cat cafe sessions
- Local frozen dessert delivery supplier
- In-home personal chef
- Weekend pop-up teahouse in a rented room
- Vegetarian takeaway deli, no storefront
- Frozen food market stall
- Dessert stand for markets and events
- Pop-up Chinese tea stall
- Bagged ice delivery route
- Pretzel stall for markets and events
- Spice stall at farmers' markets
- Weekend bagel stall at farmers' markets
- Specialty food supplier to cafés and shops
- Fresh produce delivery route for restaurants and grocers
- Local farm produce supplier for chefs and small shops
- Mobile coffee cart for markets and events
- Seasonal frozen yogurt kiosk or trailer
- Local farm-to-kitchen produce supplier
- Hong Kong cafe pop-up and market stall
- Rice cake market stall and pre-order box service
- Bubble tea kiosk or market stall
- Specialty soda delivery route
- Event and festival soda supply
- Brazilian pastel stall for markets and festivals
- Neighbourhood milk and dairy round
- Milk and grocery delivery van route
- Pop-up family cafe in community halls
Questions
What should I check before selling food at markets or events in Canada?
Check whether your local public health unit requires a food handler certificate, an inspection or an approved prep kitchen. Also ask each market or event organizer about stall fees, insurance requirements, and any limits on the products you can sell.
Do I need a licence to run a mobile food business?
Often there are requirements, but they differ by municipality and province. Look into mobile vending permits, health inspections, fire safety rules for cooking equipment, and business registration. Your city's licensing office and local health authority are good first contacts.
How can I keep startup costs low with an out-and-about food business?
Consider starting with a simple stall or a small product range before buying a truck or trailer. Compare costs for equipment, a commissary or rented kitchen, insurance and transport, and test demand at a few markets before committing.