10 Steps to Starting a Food Business in New Jersey

The fun part: getting creative in the kitchen; experimenting with recipes; and sharing your culinary delights with friends and family. The not-so-fun part: the paperwork and ensuring that you meet all of the state and local requirements, rules, and regulations. You’ve mastered the science and the artistry behind your food, now don’t shortchange your business success by skimping on the rules. Be sure that you follow all of the relevant steps so that you are fully in compliance with state and local authorities and regulators.

1. Check Food Business Name Availability.

New Jersey law states that a new business entity cannot have the same or similar name as an active entity, so it’s important to ensure that the business name that you select is not in use by another company.  Use the state’s Name Availability Lookup Service to confirm that the business name that you would like to use is actually available. Do an online search for your proposed name and evaluate the results to ensure your name isn’t already used for something less desirable that could later damage your brand’s reputation.  Also, be sure to secure your domain name and social media handles.

2. Register Your Food Business.

Be sure you understand where you need to register your business. It depends on the type of entity that you select.  Sole Proprietorships or General Partnerships can be registered on the county level, while Limited Liability Companies (LLC) or Corporations must be registered on the state level.

Sole Proprietorship Or General Partnership
Trade name registration is advisable but not required if you intend to do business under your own name. If you intend to use a business name for your Sole Proprietorship or General Partnership, you must register your trade name with the County Clerk’s office in the county where your business is located. County-level registration is required and protects your business name from use by other companies. You must register the name in each of New Jersey’s 21 counties, if you would like to protect the name from use statewide.

Limited Liability Company (LLC) Or Corporation
If your business is an LLC or Corporation, you can register as a New Business Entity by visiting the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services’ Business Formation Service and clicking on “Getting Started” at the bottom of the page.

3. Use Your Social Security Number or Apply for a Federal Identification Number.

A Sole Proprietorship or a single member LLC with no employees can use the owner’s social security number for federal tax purposes. However, other business entities and all businesses with employees are required to obtain a Federal Employee Identification Number (FEIN) from the IRS. You can obtain an FEIN by visiting the Internal Revenue Service’s website and clicking on “Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) Online” or filing a form SS4 with the IRS by fax, mail, or telephone.

4. Register Your Food Business For Tax Purposes.

Regardless of whether you plan to collect sales tax or have paid employees, all businesses must “Register for Tax and Employer Purposes.” To register, go to the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services Business Registration page and select “Register a Business Entity” or “Register a Partnership or Proprietorship.” Note: LLCs and Corporations must register using their New Jersey Business Entity ID and EIN and General Partnerships or Sole Proprietorships must provide either an EIN or the business owner’s Social Security Number.

5. Obtain A Food Safety Certification.

The State of New Jersey requires that the person in charge, owner, or manager of a food establishment obtains a food manager certification by successfully passing a food safety certification exam that is accredited by the American National Standards Institute and the Conference for Food Protection (ANSI-CFP). Some local health departments also may require that food establishment employees receive a Food Handlers Certification. There are many organizations, like ServSafe that offer food safety training. Check with your local health department to ensure that the course and certification that you are considering is recognized by your city or municipality.

6. Get Properly Insured.

The type of insurance that you need will depend on the type of products that you sell and where you plan to sell your products.  And, as your business grows, your insurance needs may change. At a minimum, general liability insurance protects businesses against claims of bodily injury or accidents on their property and property damage to someone else’s premises.  Be sure to consult an insurance broker or online insurance programs like FLIP about your specific food business insurance needs.

7. Find A Licensed Commercial Kitchen.  

Check out the TheKitchenDoor.com’s list of community kitchens in the area. In addition, reach out to churches and synagogues as well as independent restaurants in your area. They may be open to renting their space to entrepreneurs to make additional revenue during their off days. Also, learn more about Hudson Kitchen’s membership options for consumer packaged goods manufacturers, bakers, food service providers, caterers, meal delivery services, and food trucks. TIP: Bakers and confectioners may have the ability to produce from home with restrictions under New Jersey's Cottage Food law.

8. Obtain a Health Department License.

When you are ready to sell your food or provide food services within the State of New Jersey, you will need to obtain a license. The specific license that you will need depends on how and where you are selling your products. Contact your local health department for information on their specific requirements. To find the health department in your city, use the Directory of Health Departments in New Jersey.

9. Find Places to Sell Your Food Products.

There are many ways to get your name and product on the minds and lips of your customers and money out of their wallets. But you don’t want to run before you can walk. Start slow and steady, methodical, and thoughtful. When you are just starting out, farmers markets and festivals are cost-effective ways to sell your food products and services, while getting immediate feedback from customers on your product.

10. Get the Word Out About Your Food Business.  

You could have the best food product in the world, but if no one knows about it you will never succeed. Be sure you have the essentials — website, email newsletter, and social media accounts —in place to share your story and your products. Make sure everything you create is professional, carefully-crafted, well-written and designed, and reflects the image you want to project to your customers. You want to be sure these materials speak about your business as if you were having a one-on-one conversation.

To learn more about launching your a food business, sign up for our Food Business Bootcamp startup course. Learn more here.

Hudson Kitchen is a food business incubator that boasts 8,000 square feet of production, storage, and co-working space for brands ready to start, grow, and scale their business. Members can access a growing list of bespoke amenities in our fully-licensed and FDA-registered kitchen 24/7 to think big, dream big, and do big things. Driving the industry forward, join both members and nonmembers for education, mentorship, and a community of culinary innovators. Our local roots and national reach give you the power and platform you have been craving. Hudson Kitchen is where food means business.

Updated: August 2024
This information is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult your legal, financial, insurance and tax advisors when making decisions about starting your food business.