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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.
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:
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
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!
FAQs
Homemade is a innovative food delivery platform that transforms home kitchens into personal restaurants. We empower passionate home chefs to create and sell delicious, fresh meals directly to hungry customers in their local area. Think of it as turning your cooking passion into a flexible, rewarding business opportunity.
Not at all! You don't need to be a professionally trained chef. However, you do need to meet a few important requirements:
Register with the KVK (Dutch Chamber of Commerce)
Follow food safety standards
Comply with NVWA regulations
What matters most is your cooking skill, passion, and ability to create delicious meals that people will love.
Getting paid is super simple:
Fill out your payment details on the Homemade platform
Set your meal prices
Request payments whenever you want
Receive your funds within 2-4 business days
You have complete control over your earnings and can withdraw money as soon as you start selling meals.
You're responsible for packaging your meals. We encourage:
Eco-friendly packaging materials
Professional and attractive presentation
Packaging that keeps food fresh and appetizing
Don't worry - we provide tips and guidance to help you choose the right packaging that will make your meals look as good as they taste.
You have can deliver meals yourself.
Our platform lets you:
Set your own delivery radius
Choose your availability
Communicate easily with customers
Manage delivery logistics smoothly
A: Earnings vary, but many chefs on Homemade earn between €200 and €2,000+ per month. Your income depends on:
Number of orders you fulfill
Your meal pricing
How often you cook
Your menu's popularity
Your local customer base
We market your chef profile through:
Our mobile app
Social media campaigns
Email marketing
Your Storefront on Homemademeals Food Delivery platform
Absolutely! Homemade offers total flexibility:
Cook as many or as few days as you want
Set your own hours
Take breaks whenever needed
Simply update your availability on the platform
Currently, we're active in the Netherlands, with thriving communities in:
Amsterdam
Rotterdam
Enschede
And we're constantly expanding to new cities and regions
It's more than just earning money - it's about:
Working on your own terms
Sharing meals you're passionate about
Connecting with your local community
Turning your cooking love into a flexible income stream
