Start a home-run dry goods and takeout packaging supplier

Independent cafes, caterers, food trucks, small restaurants and event food vendors that are too small to get good service from the big distributors.

You add a margin to the bulk price and charge a small delivery fee or set a minimum order. Regular weekly or monthly orders from repeat customers are the main income.

• Selling and building trade relationships
• Stock and order organization
• Careful with pricing and margins
• Reliable delivery

• Check your municipality's rules on running a home-based business and storing stock at home
• Check with your provincial or local public health unit and the CFIA about licensing for storing or selling food ingredients
• Commercial general liability and product liability insurance, plus cover for your vehicle if used for business
• Margins can be thin, so work out delivery costs and minimum orders before setting prices
• Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold, and check provincial sales tax rules

Estimated startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your opening stock, storage and any vehicle or insurance needs. Work out delivery costs and minimum orders before you set prices.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $2,500 to $12,000, depending on how many cafes, caterers and food trucks you serve. Hours start at around 10 per week. Margins can be thin, so check your pricing.

Check your municipality's rules on home-based businesses and storing stock at home. Check with your public health unit and the CFIA about licensing for storing or selling food ingredients, plus insurance, GST/HST registration and provincial sales tax rules.