Toosh
Veteran Member
I've been playing with an idea. I'm going to buy a medium Harvest Right freeze dry machine. Haven't done it yet but leaning toward making that call tomorrow.
I will set up the machine in a little used room in my basement and will rent it out. I plan to rent it $6 per tray, $22 for batch. Given the cost of freeze dried food right now (when you can find it) that is a bargain. I have secured pre-paid appointments and am booked just about 24/7 during November. These orders are from word of mouth. I have done no advertising. I'll have all of October to play with the machine, learn how to use it and preserve the apples coming off my orchard.
Clients will bring their food to me, properly prepared, ready to freeze dry. I'm not selling food, I'm selling "processing." Processing of food is considered a service, and is not subject to state sales and use tax. I already have a business and the proper permitting. I'm in KY where cottage industry is allowed. I have to pay $50 a year to register with the Home Processing state agency and agree to certain signage but that's it. No health inspections, no USDA, no other government interference that I can find etc.
I'm working on a hold-harmless agreement in the event of power failure and their food is ruined or in the event someone gets sick because of food contamination. I'll have that before November.
The cost of the machine is $2,800. A medium unit does not require a dedicated circuit so no electrician needed for set up. If I can book 1.5 batches a week for the next 48 weeks (It's looking like I might be able to do that) I can pay for the machine in less than 2 years and still have time to process plenty for myself. On top of that, because this is a business, I might enjoy a few bonafide "business expense" tax deductions.
If all goes well, I can see a "Food Processing Club" with several dehydrators, freeze dryers and canners available to rent in an outside kitchen environment.
Thoughts? Wish me luck!
I will set up the machine in a little used room in my basement and will rent it out. I plan to rent it $6 per tray, $22 for batch. Given the cost of freeze dried food right now (when you can find it) that is a bargain. I have secured pre-paid appointments and am booked just about 24/7 during November. These orders are from word of mouth. I have done no advertising. I'll have all of October to play with the machine, learn how to use it and preserve the apples coming off my orchard.
Clients will bring their food to me, properly prepared, ready to freeze dry. I'm not selling food, I'm selling "processing." Processing of food is considered a service, and is not subject to state sales and use tax. I already have a business and the proper permitting. I'm in KY where cottage industry is allowed. I have to pay $50 a year to register with the Home Processing state agency and agree to certain signage but that's it. No health inspections, no USDA, no other government interference that I can find etc.
I'm working on a hold-harmless agreement in the event of power failure and their food is ruined or in the event someone gets sick because of food contamination. I'll have that before November.
The cost of the machine is $2,800. A medium unit does not require a dedicated circuit so no electrician needed for set up. If I can book 1.5 batches a week for the next 48 weeks (It's looking like I might be able to do that) I can pay for the machine in less than 2 years and still have time to process plenty for myself. On top of that, because this is a business, I might enjoy a few bonafide "business expense" tax deductions.
If all goes well, I can see a "Food Processing Club" with several dehydrators, freeze dryers and canners available to rent in an outside kitchen environment.
Thoughts? Wish me luck!
