Local produce supplier run from home

Independent cafes, restaurants, delis, farm shops, pubs and caterers that want local, seasonal produce but don't have time to deal with lots of growers.

You buy at grower or wholesale prices and sell at a mark-up, either per item or per weekly order. Repeat standing orders from regular customers give steadier income.

• Negotiating with growers and buyers
• Organising orders and deliveries
• Knowing produce quality and seasons
• Reliable, early-morning working

• Check whether you need to register as a food business with your local council, and if you can handle food from home
• Public liability and product liability insurance, plus goods in transit cover for your vehicle
• Fresh produce spoils quickly, so only buy against confirmed orders at first
• Cash flow: growers may want paying quickly while customers often pay on 30-day terms
• Check labelling, traceability and weights and measures rules for what you sell
• Check with your landlord or mortgage lender before running a business from home

Startup costs are typically around £800 to £4,000, depending on your vehicle needs, insurance, packaging and how much stock you buy. These are estimates, so only buy against confirmed orders at first.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £7,500, depending on how many cafes, delis and restaurants you supply and how often they order. That is revenue, not profit. Expect at least 15 hours a week.

Check whether you need to register as a food business with your local council and whether you can handle food from home. Also check labelling, traceability and weights and measures rules, and insurance such as public liability and goods in transit.