FAQs
 Where can I get help in starting a new business?
 Starting a new business is exciting and a bit intimidating for most of us. One of best ways to insure success is to systematically educate yourself about what you need to do to get started or expand your business. The more planning you can do, the better your chances of staying in business long enough to meet your goals.
Learn as much as you can about running a small business, take classes, and seek advice. There are many resources out there, and people willing to talk with you. You need to learn about starting (or expanding) a small business, and then there are special considerations in running a food business. Be sure and cover all the bases.
Small Business Centers can be found at Community Colleges throughout the region. They offer a variety of classes and one-on-one counseling. The Small Business Center at A-B Tech is located in the same building as Blue Ridge Food Ventures. Russ Yelton and Jill Sparks work with clients of BRFV to develop business and marketing plans and are especially helpful at pricing your products. Their services are free, and they can help you with other professional services as well. Call (828) 254-1921 ext. 5850 to make an appointment and obtain a list of classes or go to www.abtech.edu/sbc. Outside of the Asheville area, go to www.ncccs.cc.nc.us/ click on Business & Industry to find the SBC nearest you.
Mountain BizWorks mission is to build economic opportunities through business development and capital. They provide a one-stop shop where entrepreneurs receive training, consulting, and financing to start up or expand their businesses. Services are offered in both English and Spanish. MBW has five offices throughout western North Carolina. Visit their website or call the Asheville office at 828-253-2834.
NC-REAL provides entrepreneurship training through intensive workshops and on-going mentoring. Services are also available in Spanish at the REAL office at Southwestern Community College in Sylva. Call 828-349-1278 for more information.
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)
This organization of retired executives from all types of business and industry provides individual counseling for small business owners as well as workshops on important topics. You can contact the Asheville office at www.ashevillescore.org or call 828-271-4786.
Small Business & Technology Development Centers (SBTDC) offer assistance to small businesses in the region, focusing on growth and expansion of emerging businesses. Visit www.sbtdc.org or call the Asheville office at 828-251-6025 or in Cullowhee at 828-227-3504.
The Small Business Administration has a website where you can learn everything you ever wanted to know about starting a small business, as well as information about possible funding sources.
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Where can I get help in starting a FOOD Business?
“Starting a Food Business in North Carolina” is an excellent web-site provided by NC State University that walks you through the process of setting up your small food business according to which regulations you will need to follow. All food entrepreneurs should start here:
www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/foodsci/ext/programs/ncfood/tree.html
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services also publishes a Guide for the New Entrepreneur, available at the following website: www.agr.state.nc.us/markets/redtape.htm
In Asheville, Bob Grooms is the Western North Carolina Agribusiness Developer for the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and will help small farms and food businesses in their business planning and marketing. Call him at 828-670-7518.
Other resources from the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services are at their website: www.ncagr.com/
Once you have entered into this process, you should consult the websites of the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) that give even more detail on your food business. FDA's primary focus as a regulatory agency is food safety. FDA does not offer financing or business tips for starting up and maintaining a business. FDA offers information on food safety guidelines and regulations it has established that are required for informative labeling and the safe preparation, manufacture, and distribution of food products. www.cfsan.fda.gov/~comm/foodbiz.html
Many of the above federal documents are available in Spanish and other languages. Go to www.cfsan.fda.gov/~mow/internat.html
Developing your Product and your Business Plan
In addition to the resources mentioned on starting a small business, there are many resources at the library, in books, and on the web to help you develop a business plan. For food businesses in particular, several older kitchen incubators have developed a set of resources and worksheets to help you through the process of product development and business planning. We recommend that you use these to help you develop your ideas. The Director of BRFV and the business planning resources mentioned in the first section can help you with them as well.
• ACENet Food Ventures in Athens, Ohio has a curriculum and worksheets on their website that is full of helpful information to help you work through your questions associated with setting up your food business. www.acenetworks.org/training/index.php?page=129
• The University of Pennsylvania has some good resources as well:
foodsafety.psu.edu/processor/resources.htm
• Cornell University is the home of the Northeast Center for Food Entrepreneurship at the New York State Food Venture Center and as such has a wonderful website full of information and fact sheets on starting a food business. www.nysaes.cornell.edu/necfe/pubs/booklet.html
Pricing Your Product
Here is an Excel spreadsheet that can help you figure the cost of making your product at BRFV.
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What regulations will I have to follow?
Find your proposed food product on the following table to determine which regulations will apply to your products. Then call the relevant inspector to find out all the regulations you may be subject to.
Food Products Table
Contact information applicable for WNC-produced products only.
Health Department Regulated Products
For caterers, push cart operators and others making fresh foods for immediate consumption, here are the Rules Governing the Safety of Food Service Establishments in North Carolina.
The Buncombe County Health Department is responsible for inspecting food establishments that prepare food directly for consumers. They have a helpful website or call Eddie Shook at 828-250-5016 ext. 5027 for more information.
Packaged Products and Good Manufacturing Practices
For those producing and packaging food in jars, plastic bags and containers, frozen or refrigerated items, as well as baked goods, you may come under one or more of the following sets of regulations. Call your FDA Regulator for a ruling as to what rules you must follow. www.cfsan.fda.gov/~comm/lacf-toc.html. 21 CFR 110 (Good Manufacturing Practices)
In western North Carolina, call Chris Alexander at 919-733-7366.
Juice and Cider Producers and HACCP Plans
Most producers of fruit juices and ciders at BRFV will have to formulate a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Plan as called for in Federal Regulation 21 CFR part 120. More information on this regulation can be found at: vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/juicgui7.html
Blue Ridge Food Ventures, LLC has prepared a HACCP plan for the production of juice. Clients wishing to produce and bottle juices at BRFV will need to abide by this plan and under the supervision of a HACCP–trained person. The Executive Director of BRFV may serve as this person if the client does not have other options. Each producer will need to have a Good Agricultural Practices Program (GAP) written and in place for the fruits/vegetables they wish to bring into the facility to juice. This GAP will cover the fruit from farm to BRFV door, and then again from the BRFV door back out to distribution.
Acidified Foods and Seafood Handling
Federal Regulations regarding acidified foods, good manufacturing practices (GMP) and seafood handling can be found at: www.cfsan.fda.gov/~comm/lacf-toc.html
21 CFR 110 (Good Manufacturing Practices)
21 CFR 114 (Acidified Foods)
21 CFR 123 (Seafood Products)
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What about pickles, sauerkraut and other Acidified Foods?
You will have learned about the different regulations affecting your food product in your research in Section One on the “Starting a Food Business in North Carolina” website. If you are producing an acidified food, you will need a “scheduled process” from a certified processing specialist. In North Carolina, that is Dr. John Rushing. We highly recommend that you attend “Pickle School” or what is more formally known as Better Process Control School. NCSU runs these 2 or 4-day workshops for small entrepreneurs once a year. Successful completion of this course certifies you as a supervisor for processing acidified foods.
To get your product tested for a scheduled process, go to the following website:
www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/foodsci/ext/programs/ncfood/testing.htm
For other questions, contact Dr. John Rushing at:
Phone: 919-515-2956
Fax: 919-515-7124
E-mail: john_rushing@ncsu.edu
Once you have obtained your scheduled process from Dr. Rushing you must register as follows:
A commercial processor, when first engaging in the manufacture, processing, or packing of acidified foods in any state must register with the FDA on Form FDA 2541 (Food Canning Establishment Registration; 21 CFR 108.25). This form must be filed not later than 10 days after the firm engages in operations.
In addition, the firm must file a scheduled process with the FDA on Form FDA 2541a not later than 60 days after registration, and before packing any new product. These forms are available from FDA. Firms already registered and engaged in the processing of acidified foods need only file Form FDA 2541a, for each new acidified food in each container size. Registration and process filing forms are available from FDA by writing:
LACF Registration Coordinator, HFS-618
Food & Drug Administration
Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutr.
200 C Street, S.W.
Washington DC 20204
Or at their website: www.cfsan.fda.gov/~comm/lacf-s1.html
To find out more about “Pickle School” please go to: www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/foodsci/agentinfo/workshops.html
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What about UPC Codes and Nutritional Facts on Labels?
UPC Codes—these are not presently required by law, but most retailers want you to have them. Some will not accept your products without them. Below is the contact information for the Uniform Code Council, the non-profit organization set up to administer these codes.
Uniform Code Council
7887 Washington Village Drive, Suite 300
Dayton, OH 45459
937.435.3870-Telephone
937.435.7317-Fax
info@gs1us.org
Monday - Friday 8:00 AM to 6 PM EST Office Hours
www.uc-council.org
Nutrition Labels
Everything you want to know about food and nutrition labels including who is required to use them, and who is not. www.cfsan.fda.gov/label.html
Small businesses, as most of you will start out as, are not required to carry the nutrition labels in certain cases. To find out more about his, go to: www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/sbel.html.
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How shall I structure my business and what other licenses and insurance do I need?
One of the first things you need to do is decide how to organize your business. You may choose from a sole proprietorship, general partnership, Limited Liability Corporation etc… Each type of business has different advantages, disadvantages, and tax consequences. The Small Business Administration website has a good description of the advantages and disadvantages of each.
www.sba.gov/starting_business/legal/forms.html
You should consult a lawyer, or any of the other small business advising centers. If you are a member of Mountain BizWorks, one of the benefits of membership is free, limited consultation with a lawyer and an accountant. The same is true if you are a client of the Small Business Center at A-B Tech. Take advantage of these free professional services.
The North Carolina Department of State website has the forms you will need to set up your business. This is a good site to learn about North Carolina business licenses in general.
www.nccommerce.com/servicenter/blio/
Register your Business Name with the County Register of Deeds
The form is available in the Business Forms section at www.nccommerce.com/servicenter/blio/ or you might want to call your County Offices.
Patents and Trademarks
If you would like more information about patents and trademarks, please go to the Federal government’s website for the Patents & Trademark Office. www.uspto.gov/
Privelege License
Apply for a Privilege License at the City Hall Building in Asheville.
This license is required if doing business in Asheville. Blue Ridge Food Ventures is located within the city limits. For more information call 259-5595, or visit their site at:
www.ci.asheville.nc.us/finance/license.htm
Apply for your Sales Tax I.D. Number
Register for your Sales Tax # at the:
North Carolina Department of Revenue
2800 Heart Dr.
Asheville, NC 28806
They are located in the business park behind the Biltmore Square Mall. (Copies of the blank forms may also be obtained at BRFV.)
The form is also available in the Business Forms section at
www.nccommerce.com/servicenter/blio/
Obtain Product Liability Insurance
Insurance coverage is an important piece of any business operation, particularly food businesses. General liability is protection, including legal defense, from claims against you and your company alleging bodily injury or property damage to others because of your activities. Product liability insurance, a component of general liability, is particularly important to food producers. Product liability coverage provides protection against claims resulting from food-borne illness or injury. Many retail stores and distributors require this insurance before they will handle your product. Blue Ridge Food Ventures requires proof of $2 million of coverage for each producer using their facility. They also need to be named on the policy as “Additionally Insured” to broaden their protection under your coverage.
The following are just some of the Insurance Agents that you could contact for providing insurance for your products. We highly recommend that you call for several quotes as the prices can vary widely among providers.
Insurance Companies—Call and Compare Prices, there are big differences !!
Insurance People of North Carolina, Steve Griffin 800-825-0442
Rose & Kiernan Insurance Co, Ray Wilson 800-830-0705, ext. 505
Morrow Insurance, Joyce Biddix 828-693-5396
Nationwide Insurance, Brevard Road 828-665-1128
Webb Insurance, Jamie McArthur 828-233-7205
Farm Bureau, Alfred Cornett (Henderson County) 828-692-0278
Farm Bureau, Ron Lewis (Buncombe County) 828-665-8086
Farm Bureau, Ed Snipes (Transylvania County)
Nationwide Insurance, Rosario Villarreal 828-654-8865 (Spanish-speaking)
Register with the FDA
FDA Registration—everyone producing a packaged food product for sale MUST register with the Food & Drug Administration. The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (the Bioterrorism Act) requires domestic and foreign facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold food for human or animal consumption in the United States to register with the FDA. You are encouraged to register online at the website below as soon as you are in business producing food products. Exemptions to this requirement are also found on their website. www.cfsan.fda.gov/~furls/ovffreg.html
Go to this website to register your facility under the Bioterrorism Act
www.fda.gov/oc/bioterrorism/bioact.html
For clients in food production at Blue Ridge Food Ventures, here is some help in filling in the form: www.cfsan.fda.gov/~furls/ovffreg.html#logon
As a producer at BRFV, you would use your name and contact info, but OUR ADDRESS for Section 2. (1461 Sand Hill Road, Candler, NC 28715) Use your phone number. If you need to put a FAX number and don’t have one, you may use ours: 828-665-9471.
YOUR mailing address in Section 3.
Your Parent Company Info (if applicable) in Section 4.
YOUR contact info in Section 5.
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What else do I need to do to get started at BRFV?
Print and complete the application form. Bring this application form to your scheduled appointment with the BRFV Director at that time you may pay the application fee and deposits.
Print, sign and return the Users Service Contract.
Review the Rental & Use Policies and Standard Operating Procedures before arranging with the Director to attend food safety, sanitation and equipment training at BRFV just before your first use of the facility.
Current Fee Schedule (pdf)
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Pricing Your Product
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"This kitchen facility’s potential is endless…BRFV has enabled me to open a production company with very little out-of-pocket cost."
Kim Austin
Carolina Culinary
Mary Lou Surgi, Executive Director
Blue Ridge Food Ventures
1461 Sand Hill Road
Candler, NC 28715
Located at the Small Business Center on the A-B Tech Enka Campus.
Get Directions
ph. 828-665-9464
fx. 828-665-9471
Email Mary Lou
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