selling food out on the water

[silveraire]

Not shure this is the right forum for this or not. Mods, pls move if I have made a mistake.

We boat in lake clarke, pa for most of the summer. Almost every sunday we spend the day out on the river with a grill and a smoker going all day on the pontoon. We have become known around the lake for the smoking pontoon, and last summer people started coming up to us and asking if they could buy food from us. We gave alot of food out and sold some, but we have been thinking about maybe trying to do it to make some cash next summer. I'm assuming that I can't just throw a sign and a few coolers on the toon and go to work. I would thing there would have to be some regulations or a licence of some kind. We have run into a dead end as far as info from local outlets. Anybody have any idea what would be involved to do this or who we should talk to?? Kinda have hit a wall for now.

ty in advance for any help,
chad

 

[Blackacid]

Re: selling food out on the water

I've thought about this myself. I've always wondered why someone hasn't already been doing it in my area (central Indiana). I'm guessing there are laws regarding this stuff, just not sure what they are.

Might be that because it is a State Park and/or privately held lake they don't allow it. good luck though, I've been out on the water many of times wishing someone was selling either 1) drink, 2) food, 3) toilet time!

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: selling food out on the water

Information should be very easy to obtain. County health departments are typically the first people to talk to about your food handlers certification. From there you can apply for the restaurant or vendors license.

You may find that it's cost prohibitive to comply with the restaurant sanitation requirements on your pontoon. But get in contact with the local authority first. Most will be happy to sit down with you and let you know what's required.

There may be other issues you need to address. Not the least of which is trash disposal. If it's your wrapper or someone elses' floating nearby, you'll probably be blamed. If there are other restaurants or vendors on the shoreline that have to bear the full expense of licensing and compliance, they could make it tough for you to do so in an abbreviated manner.

In any case, do your business plan and see what that tells you. I'd be curious to see what you find out.

I've been involved in the food services industry several times and am very much aware of what it takes to open a small restaurant. I'll be very interested to see what you find out for your area.

 

[Subliminal]

Re: selling food out on the water

Not too much help, but there's a hotdog/ice cream boat out on the Delaware every weekend, between Burlington and Bordentown.

It's really a converted houseboat...it looks like they have a lot of fun.

Good luck!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: selling food out on the water

I belong to a Radio Controlled Airplane club and our club hosts lots of events during the summer. The rules here in Minnesota are that food that is sold must be prepared in a commercial kitchen whether that be fixed (as in restaurant, church kitchen, etc) or mobile as in (trailer), and of course the usual inspections and permits are required. Way more trouble than it's worth. We get around that requirement by "not selling" the food but rather just having a container with a sign indicating "free will donation". The jurisdiction you plan to operate in will have the information you need. And by the way -- you are advised to form an LLC (lmited liability corporation) or "S-corporation" so you cannot lose your home or other personal possessions due to a lawsuit should someone get sick. And along with that, a 1 million dollar umbrella/personal liability policy would also be recommended.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: selling food out on the water

A buddy of mine wanted to do something like a hot dog stand and hot running water was a requirement, You know the govt will some how make it a PITA

 

[ezmobee]

Re: selling food out on the water

We boat in lake clarke, pa for most of the summer.

Howdy neighbor! Sounds like a great idea to me. I'm sure you'd need the same licenses/certifications as market food vendors or lunch trucks. Head down to central market this weekend and ask one of the food vendors.

One interesting tidbit I DO know is.....a vendor at central market I used to frequent got into trouble for selling some food items that were prepared off-site. As-in the made it at home in their presumably un-inspected kitchen. So you'll definitely want to check into that.

 

[2ndtry]

Re: selling food out on the water

A buddy of mine wanted to do something like a hot dog stand and hot running water was a requirement, You know the govt will some how make it a PITA

Not a problem. You can get a propane fired camp water heater for $150.00. These things are great (I use one for my outside shower), and many food carts/vans use them for their hot water.

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Re: selling food out on the water

Just like the Greatful Dead concerts Grilled Cheese on rainbow bread.

 

[spudshaft]

Re: selling food out on the water

There's a guy here who sells hot dogs out of a pontoon boat. Just guessing, but I'd check the basic rules for a mobile cart or a basic restaurant. Maybe a business license plus meet the sanitary requirements.

 

[wakeondude]

Re: selling food out on the water

Sounds like an awesome idea but becareful, You'll have a bunch of morons running into your boat!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: selling food out on the water

You will find that you can't sell prepared food legally from a typical boat, nor wil you be able to get insurance. Your commercial enterprise voids your existing insurance. And the guy with the "donation jar" is selling, and not being very smart about it.

The best you could do is duplicate a rolling hot dog cart. But insurance will still kill you.

 

[smartwork]

Re: selling food out on the water

The best you could do is duplicate a rolling hot dog cart.

...or simply get one and roll it on to your boat.

 

[E_Man]

Re: selling food out on the water

I would do it, who cares; at least until someone of authority warns you. Besides, who are you taking business away from in the middle of the water? People shouldn't be so anal about such small things, its just food. This is my opinion.

Not shure this is the right forum for this or not. Mods, pls move if I have made a mistake.

We boat in lake clarke, pa for most of the summer. Almost every sunday we spend the day out on the river with a grill and a smoker going all day on the pontoon. We have become known around the lake for the smoking pontoon, and last summer people started coming up to us and asking if they could buy food from us. We gave alot of food out and sold some, but we have been thinking about maybe trying to do it to make some cash next summer. I'm assuming that I can't just throw a sign and a few coolers on the toon and go to work. I would thing there would have to be some regulations or a licence of some kind. We have run into a dead end as far as info from local outlets. Anybody have any idea what would be involved to do this or who we should talk to?? Kinda have hit a wall for now.

ty in advance for any help,
chad

 

[BoatNoobie]

Re: selling food out on the water

I would do it, who cares; at least until someone of authority warns you. Besides, who are you taking business away from in the middle of the water? People shouldn't be so anal about such small things, its just food. This is my opinion.

It's just food until there's an ecoli, hepatitis, or salmonella outbreak. If we didnt live in a country where people are so sue happy, it shouldnt be a problem.

 

[E_Man]

Re: selling food out on the water

AGAIN, I say do it.

It's just food until there's an ecoli, hepatitis, or salmonella outbreak. If we didnt live in a country where people are so sue happy, it shouldnt be a problem.

 

[cr2k]

Re: selling food out on the water

One thing not mentioned was who has any vending rights on the body of water you plan on selling on. If its a state lake it may not be allowed. Other lake the marina cantina may have all rights to sell food on the lake.

I have often wanted to do it and we even have a vending license, but the state won't allow it. I would like to back to "Party Cove" about 3 or 4 in the afternoon and feel I could make a killing on all the stoned peeps there. Hot dogs and Kettle Corn. True "munchie" foods.

 

[sasto]

Re: selling food out on the water

A friend of mine does it daily as does another guy I don't know. Here, it is a matter of following state and county laws, which are fairly relaxed. Same as a hot dog stand on land. Do it! Have fun!

 

[riptide09]

Re: selling food out on the water

There is a guy on Lake Winnisquam in NH who comes around selling ice creme and drinks. I have to believe he is legit because he has big sign on the toon, the stupid ice creme truck music and the environmental/marine police see him all the time and leave him alone.

However I bet it is a lot easier to sell ice creme and drinks than cooked food because you are not preparing anything but rather acting as a reseller.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: selling food out on the water

In Madison there are two lakes that have pontoon/food service. You can call the number on the side of the boat, place the order, and a dingy will deliver your food... They have all sorts of grilled items, ice, sandwiches, ice cream, candy, chips, etc...