Home-Based disposable tableware supplier

Independent cafes, food trucks, home-based caterers, event planners, church and school groups, and party hosts.

You mark up wholesale prices, selling by the case or in mixed bundles. Regular standing orders from a few food businesses give steady income, and larger event orders add extra.

• Sales and relationship building
• Organizing stock and orders
• Comparing supplier prices
• Reliable delivery

• Sales tax registration and resale certificates: check your state's rules for buying wholesale and charging tax
• Home occupation permit, HOA or lease rules about storing stock and receiving deliveries
• General liability insurance, and ask suppliers for food-contact safety information on items you sell
• Local limits on foam containers, plastic straws and similar items: check your city and state
• Thin margins if big distributors undercut you, so focus on small orders and fast local service

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on how much stock you hold at home and whether some product lines can be drop-shipped rather than stored.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many cafes, caterers and event hosts you serve. Margins can be thin if big distributors undercut you, so small orders and fast local service matter.

Check your state's rules on sales tax registration and resale certificates, plus any home occupation permit, HOA or lease limits on storing stock. Also check local limits on foam containers and plastic straws, and consider liability insurance.