Sunday, July 7, 2013

How to Start a Seafood Business

Seafood Business

Seafood Business
Because of the unique nature of seafood and its elevated risk of food-borne illnesses and spoilage, the seafood business requires extra care on the part of its workers and managers, and attracts extra attention from state and local regulators. However, seafood remains a key source of protein in many markets, and a popular food item among all consumers along all price points.














Step 1

Form an entity. Any food service-related business involves a substantial risk of lawsuits from a variety of sources, whether you are starting a wholesale business or simply opening a restaurant. Workplace injuries, accidents and allegations of food poisoning can lead to lawsuits. By forming a limited liability company or a corporation, you can insulate your personal assets from your business. Otherwise, your home could be at risk over a business dispute. To form a business entity, file articles of incorporation for a corporation, or articles of organization, with your state department of corporate services or state secretary of state.



Step 2

Attend safe food-handling workshops. Generally, your state, city or county requires your management and staff to attend one or more workshops on safe food handling. This is usually among the requirements before obtaining a food service license. This is a particularly acute concern in the seafood business, because of the potential for spoilage.



Step 3

Seafood BusinessLocate a suitable facility. Whether you are opening a restaurant or wholesale seafood distributorship, you need a climate-controlled facility with adequate lighting and drainage, including sewage capacity to handle waste water runoff. You also need to ensure that no particles are falling from the ceiling or walls that could contaminate food. The state or local health inspectors will visit your facility before issuing a license.



Step 4

Obtain necessary business licenses, clearances and tax registrations. These requirements vary by jurisdiction, but generally, you will need a business license or business tax receipt from your county or state government. You should also check zoning requirements in your area to ensure that local ordinances allow you to operate a business of your type in your neighborhood. You can generally do this by contacting your city zoning commission, or, if you plan to locate in an unincorporated area, your county zoning commission. This is particularly crucial for seafood wholesalers, who must generally only locate in commercial areas, because of the large amount of truck traffic they can generate.



Step 5

Secure clients, customers and vendors. Every market is different, but every seafood business must generate a steady stream of customers to sell to, as well as a network of reliable suppliers. Introduce yourself to restaurant owners and seafood vendors in the area, including fishing boat operators. If you are opening a restaurant, you should have an advertising and marketing plan as well. Have a backup supplier in case the first supplier has a hard time filling your order.



Step 6

Seafood BusinessFinalize your health licensing. As a seafood business, you must comply with federal as well as state regulation. At the federal level, you must become familiar with the Food and Drug Administrations' inspection and sanitation requirements specific to the seafood industry. At the state or local level, you must complete an on-site inspection by state health authorities before license issuance.





About the Author

Leslie McClintock has been writing professionally since 2001. She has been published in "Wealth and Retirement Planner," "Senior Market Advisor," "The Annuity Selling Guide," and many other outlets. A licensed life and health insurance agent, McClintock holds a B.A. from the University of Southern California.





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