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Originally Posted by docbdj
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going to try and have a ice cream truck business with my kids. ..
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In what state?
First off, you need to get your state regulations. Ice Cream is considered a "hazardous food". Many states now require you to have a commissary. SC seems to want you to have a restaurant and use the mobile unit as an extension of the restaurant . They want both business to be in the same persons name. GA loathes street vendors and does not want them in the state. Other states want you to have a commissary and that can cost you from $100 to $300+ per month. Some states (like NM) is pretty lax about their food regulations.
You need a big enough generator to power your freezers OR use a cold plate. Size your generator at 50% of the freezers surge for best fuel consumption.
You will probably need a triple bowl sink PLUS a hand wash sink with hot/cold water under pressure.
You may need to have a certified food manager (minimum is $100 or so but good for a few years). We don't need one for NM but we did for TX.
You may have to have everyone who handles food to have a food handlers permit. Again, not for NM but did for TX.
You will need to get a business permit from the city you vend in (varies by city, we currently pay $35 per month, Denny's etc pays $35 per year).
You will need a state permit from the health dept. Ours is yearly and good all over NM. Cost us $250/yr.
Food Regulations by State You can find most state regulations here. Some are dead links. That will take a bit more digging on your part.
BTW, SC is currently rewriting their regs and will be out in 2013.
I know all this because we are food vendors (NC, GA, TX, NM). Currently looking into ice cream (hand dipped in waffle cones). Easy in NM but a pita (or next to impossible) in GA & SC. Still looking for the next state to move to. Might end up back in TX. At least they don't have a burning desire to keep folks in a rut (except for a few cities).