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Starting a Catering Business from Home in the Netherlands

Starting a home-based catering business in the Netherlands can be an exciting and profitable venture. Whether you love cooking, baking, or preparing meal preps, turning your passion into a business is possible with the right steps. This guide from Homemade will walk you through the essentials of launching a catering business from home, covering legal requirements, food safety, business registration, and marketing strategies and answering questions like Do I need a license to sell food from home?

How to Start a Catering Business from Home

If you want to start a food business from home, the first step is to determine whether your business qualifies as an official enterprise. In the Netherlands, you are considered an entrepreneur if you independently provide goods or services with the intent of making a profit. This classification determines your legal and tax obligations.

Catering Business Registration in the Netherlands

To legally sell home-cooked meals, you must register your business with the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (KVK). Registration is necessary to obtain a KVK number, which allows you to operate as a legitimate business. You may also qualify for the small business scheme (KOR) if your annual turnover is below a certain threshold, reducing your VAT obligations.

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NVWA Registration for Food Business

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) requires all food businesses, including home-based food businesses, to register before selling meals. This ensures compliance with food safety laws and regulations.

Home food-business owners in the Netherlands can request support from third party companies like Homemade. The offer free service for their home chefs in the Netherlands and support them with all legal reuirements.

Home Food Business Regulations and HACCP Compliance

Whether you want to be full time or Part-time catering business owner, then you need to know that one of the most critical aspects of running a catering business from home in the Netherlands is following HACCP regulations (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points). These regulations ensure food safety and hygiene, covering essential aspects such as:

Infographic outlining HACCP checkpoints for home caterers

Selling Food from Home: Key Considerations

Before starting a homemade food business, check the following:

Municipal Regulations: Inform your local municipality about your home-based food business to ensure it aligns with zoning laws and environmental plans.
Mortgage or Rental Agreements: Some agreements prohibit running a business from home. Confirm with your landlord or mortgage provider.
Insurance Policies: Household and building insurance do not cover business activities. Consider business liability insurance.

Delivery and Packaging Regulations in the Netherlands

If you plan to deliver meals, ensure your transport is clean and follows food hygiene rules in the Netherlands. You must comply with disposable plastic packaging regulations—since July 2023, businesses cannot give out free disposable plastic packaging and must offer reusable options. Customers must pay extra for single-use plastics.

Marketing and Growing Your Home-Based Catering Business

Once your business is legally set up, focus on growth strategies:

Use social media: Create engaging content to showcase your meals and attract local customers.
Collaborate with other food entrepreneurs: Partnering with bakers, event caterers, or professional kitchens can help expand your reach.
Utilize shared kitchens: If your home kitchen has limitations, consider renting professional kitchen space from community centers, sports clubs, or educational institutions.

Homemade is Your Partner in Home Food Business Success

If you're looking for a hassle-free way to start a food business from home, consider joining Homemade. We are a food delivery platform based in the Netherlands that connects home chefs with hungry customers. Our platform supports home chefs with essential services, including

Graphic summarising Homemade’s support services for home chefs

We already have many talented home chefs successfully selling their delicious meals through Homemade. By joining us, you gain access to a thriving community, expert guidance, and a delivery system. Whether you specialize in meal prep, baking, or catering, Homemade helps you turn your passion into profit!

Financial Aspects of a Home Catering Business

As a small business owner, you must keep track of:

Taxes for home-based businesses
Accounting and administration
General terms and conditions
Business plan for catering startup

Final Thoughts

Starting a home-based catering business in the Netherlands requires careful planning and compliance with food safety laws. Registering with KVK, obtaining NVWA approval, following HACCP regulations, and adhering to packaging laws are crucial steps. Whether you want to sell meal prep from home or run a successful home baker business, taking the right approach will help you build a thriving venture.

If you're considering starting your own food-selling business from home, take the first step today by registering with the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations. Or, make things easier by joining Homemade, where we handle the hard work while you focus on cooking! Good luck on your entrepreneurial journey!

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Your Dream of Running a Food Business Starts Here!

‍Why navigate the complicated regulations alone when you can partner with Homemade? We simplify everything - from legal paperwork to customer outreach - so you can focus on what you do best: creating amazing food. Whether you're baking artisanal bread, crafting meal prep menus, or offering catering services, our platform gives you the tools and audience to thrive. Take the first step toward your entrepreneurial journey today. Start selling your delicious creations with full support every step of the way!