There are legal issure but it varies state by state. Check with your county cooperative extension office for your regulations. I just checked into it for myself yesterday. I'm going to need a second kitchen if I want to do it since one of the rules for home canners is no animals allowed in the home at any time. There were also some regulations on labeling and having products tested.

You might consider attending the Appalachian Heirloom Seed Conservancy's Fall Conference, Oct. 6-8. Mark Henckle and his wife, who can their own produce for sale at farmers markets and other venues, will be making a presentation on this very subject.

For details, contact AHSC at: KentuckySeeds@hotmail.com.

I agree, check with the extension service or health department for your local regulations. Here you must have a second and separate kitchen, animals or no, that can be inspected by the health department. I know some other states allow the sale of jelly and jam with virtually no regulation, but no other products.

Good luck, I hope you're in one of those places where it's easy to get the appropriate clearance and be on your way.

Annie

is there such a thing as something like a canning kichen store. kinda like a Brew on Premise, but a Can on Premise?

I don't know if there would be much call for this, probably more so in rural areas, but a professional kitchen where people could bring their produce and can paying an hourly rate.

so where do these small batches process, like for 10 - 20 gallons of hot sauces, take place? I think it be quite expensive to contract it out to a 'real' production facility..

I don't know if a COP (Can on Premise) would be a worthwhile investment and make money.

maybe renting/bartering time in the local school kitchen on weekends would work?? for a second kitchen that is.

I guees I am answering ristau5741 question but there are places called co-packers that pack and process smaller quanitys of things for the people who are just getting started or want to test market a product. I am the technical director for a packaging company and a gardner and pepper canner. The co packers work on larger quanities than the home canner would need but they are the step between home and a full size production facility. their are a lot of companys that sell used production equipment for small batches. I was in colorado and saw a co-op that was setup to produce batches of veggie and jellies for the local farmers market. I dont know if you could look up this type of thing in your region?

There are a few places that have canning centers. There was a thread a while back. Also, the Mormon church has some canning centers. My former next door neighbor has used them. For some reason I am unable to paste into the link box, but search under county cannery

Here you go through the health dept. to find out if the jelly can be sold.

Hi

I now have my own commercial kitchen, and in Canada, someone could rent my kitchen from me and as long as the kitchen is commercial it is okay. I used to borrow the local church's kitchen or the recreation center's kitchen, both inspected and approved. All four churches in my village have one, as well as four other spots and I live in a really really small village, so I am sure you can find a place like that too.

Marie

ristau,

As melly says, there was a thread on this recently but I can't find it now. Hmm. I seem to recall that several people mentioned there were such kitchens connected to some extension offices, and also some Mormon church ones. It was just like you described --- you bring your produce and jars and supply the labour, and you can use their stoves, sinks, canners, big pots and pans, etc. You clean up afterwards and pay by the hour.

Sounds like they were all non-profit ventures that offered it, which confirms your theory that it wouldn't be a service with a huge demand and a lot of $$ to be made, but in some rural areas it does seem to exist.

Zabby, who wouldn't dream of letting strangers eat her canned products --- I put too much work into them! ;-)

Zabby,
I'm with you. Whenever someone suggests that I sell my stuff, I say, "No way!" Especially Annie's Salsa. I'm hoarding that stuff. Ok, I admit I have agreed to sell some jam for the spouse's club craft fair, but all the proceeds go to charity and we are going to have a "canning party/class" to make the jam.
Melly

Zabby and Melly,

I'm with you. I wouldn't think of selling my canned goods. It is much too precious. Most of my goodies are given to family and friends.

Shirley