Official Blog of the Tophatter Auction House
You want to sell Food or Edibles on Tophatter? Join the club!
I’m going to keep this short and sweet (pun intended) and get to some key points on how to sell Edibles successfully.
i am a great cook
You’ve seen our auctions. You’re a regular cook at home & your family swears by every dish you make. Perhaps it’s time to make something & see if you could sell it? I mean, after all, friends and family flock to your house on special occasions to get whiff of your freshly baked…bread? :)
Well, great, that’s all dandy but there are some things you must research before turning on the oven & ordering your shipping boxes.
Edible sellers are all responsible for following their state laws and regulations regarding the preparation & shipment of goods for human consumption.
- You’ll need to make sure that it’s legal for you to sell edibles out of your home. Some states allow it and others don’t. For example, check to see if your state has a Cottage Food Law which allows the sale of certain items made in a home. Check here for the breakdown.
- Call your Health Department to investigate local regulations. Some states have certain zoning laws & you may need to rent a commercial kitchen in order to prepare your goodies. Check with your local department for specifics.
- The FDA has clear guidelines on labeling your edibles so we suggest checking what needs to be included on your packaging.
- Other sites to review include: the National Registry of Food Safety Individuals, the US Food & Drug Administration and Packaging Laws.
Now that you’re all set with the rules…it’s time to throw down in the kitchen (whether it’s yours or a commercial substitute).
let the cooking begin
Once you list an item on Tophatter, you must remember that your buyers need to know your ingredients or at least major allergens. A reaction to your product because you forgot to disclose an ingredient is no laughing matter. So, make sure to include all the information in your description in addition to your item’s expiration date.
I also advise you include that information within your packaging as well.
yes, your first sale! but…how will you ship it?
When shipping Edibles, you should always think about items that will last throughout the shipment process. Keep in mind if there are preservatives in your recipe, what kind of precautions you may have to take - perhaps a special cooled shipping package or boxes that don’t let in sunlight. Just be aware that your items need to maintain their optimal freshness.
Key concerns to keep in mind: how long is this item going to be en route? What kind of mailing process are you using - is it going to be quick? Some options include: overnight, dry-ice packed, air or ground. While I’m sure seasoned Edible sellers are already well aware, it’s not the smartest of ideas to send an item that could potentially leak or cause a huge mess. Your buyer won’t be too pleased.
If you are packing perishables, pack them tightly - whether this means tightly in the box, or in a tin jar or tupperware container. If you don’t leave room for shifting, the less likely that your item will crumble or break. Then, wrap your smaller container in bubble wrap and nestle tightly into the shipping box.
pat yourself on the back
And you’re done. One might even call you a snazzy Tophatter Edibles seller. ;) Looking forward to seeing more yummy treats in the room. Best of luck & happy bidding!
Psst…if you’re one of our animal-loving friends & you love making pet treats, make sure to refer to the Association of American Feed Controls Officials (AAFCO) & to ensure your items have gone through the required guaranteed analysis so we can keep our animal friends safe!
