Weekly ready-meal delivery from a shared kitchen

Busy families, professionals, new parents and people who want healthy meals without cooking.

Price per meal or per weekly bundle, often ordered ahead online so you only cook what is sold. Repeat weekly customers make planning easier.

• Cooking in batches
• Food safety and hygiene
• Planning and organizing orders
• Reliable driving and timekeeping

• Food premises permit and food handler certification, which are set by your province and local public health unit; check what applies to you
• Selling food made in a home kitchen is restricted in many places, so confirm before cooking at home
• Allergen and labelling rules for prepackaged food, check with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and your province
• Commercial general liability and vehicle insurance that covers business delivery
• Keeping food at safe temperatures in transit, especially in summer heat and winter cold
• In Quebec, check permit and French-language labelling rules

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $25,000, depending on kitchen rental terms, packaging, insulated delivery gear, insurance and your first ingredient orders.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your menu, number of weekly customers and delivery area. Revenue is not profit, so allow for ingredients, kitchen rental and fuel.

Check what food premises permit and food handler certification your province and local public health unit require. Selling food made in a home kitchen is restricted in many places, so confirm first. Also check allergen and labelling rules, and Quebec's French-language requirements.