Do you love making homemade jams and jellies? Have you ever considered turning your hobby into a business? Starting a jam and jelly company can be a rewarding way to share your creations with others while making an income. With the right planning and passion, you can launch a successful jam business.

In addition to having a passion for creating flavorful jam, you also need to know how to run a business, find your target customers, and choose the right suppliers. But don’t worry! In this guide, we’ll provide you with an overview of the business, steps to get started, and answers to common questions to help you successfully start your jam and jelly business.

Business Overview

A jam and jelly company allows you to be creative with fruit spreads and sell them for profit. Most businesses start small by making jam at home and selling at local markets and festivals. As you grow, you may rent a commercial kitchen or build your own production facility. You’ll need to handle tasks like sourcing ingredients, production, branding, marketing, and sales. It’s helpful to be skilled at cooking, business operations, and customer service.

Industry Summary

The jam and jelly industry has been very stable and not significantly impacted by economic fluctuations. In recent years, the market has been growing, fueled by consumer interest in artisanal, locally-made food products. Opening a small-scale jam operation allows you to start slow with minimal upfront costs. You can commonly operate your jam kitchen out of your home to keep overhead low, and as you build your brand and customer base, you can move to a commercial kitchen and increase production.

The market is expected to generate $1.43 billion in sales by the end of 2023 and grow 3.4% annually over the next five years.

As you begin researching this business, there are some current trends shaping the jam and jelly business to be aware of. A few of these include:

• Unique flavors: Customers want exciting new flavors, and creative combinations can help your products stand out.
• Farm-to-table: Local and seasonal ingredients are increasingly popular. Partnering with local farms can be a win-win.
• Health-conscious options: Products with less or no added sugar appeal to health-focused consumers.
• Gift potential: Jams and jellies make great gifts. Consider branding and packaging that targets the gift-giving market.

Steps To Start A Jam And Jelly Business

While selling homemade jam can be an incredibly sweet experience, it’s important to make sure you’re prepared for the challenges ahead. These steps will help get your business started right.

Step 1: Research the Market

Starting a jam and jelly business may be a great idea, but before you dive in and start making your delicious jams, you need to make sure that there is a market. Do people need another jam and jelly business? How will you differentiate yourself from the existing competition? These are important questions that can only be answered by conducting thorough market research.

The first step is to research the potential customer demand for your product, and one way to learn about customer preferences is to attend farmers’ markets or craft fairs that sell jams. Talk to vendors (preferably not at places where you also plan to sell), listen to their challenges, and find out what types of flavors, pricing, and packaging they offer.

All this research is for one big reason: to make sure your jam business isn’t just another face in the crowd. What will make your jams the ones people reach for? Maybe it’s an old family recipe, using locally sourced ingredients, innovative flavors not found anywhere else, or you’re using a fruit nobody else has thought of.

You can also talk to potential buyers, like cafes, bakeries, and gift shops that sell jams. Ask if they think there’s unmet demand from customers for different jam varieties, flavors, ingredients, or pricing. Their insights into consumer needs can reveal opportunities.

Doing thorough market research takes time, but knowing this information will help you to launch a successful brand with a unique twist and with a focus on what customers want.

Step 2: Write a Business Plan

Even though it might not be required, writing a business plan should be next on your list. A business plan may be typically thought of as something that’s only needed to get a loan, but the plan is also a reality check. Writing a business plan involves thinking through every aspect of your business on paper. You’ll need to think about what you’re going to make, how you’ll make it, who will buy it, and how much money you’ll need to start and keep going. This plan will show you if your idea makes sense or if it’s just a hobby that’s gotten a bit out of hand.

Related: How to write a business plan

Step 3: Source Funding

After doing the market research and working through the business plan, and nothing is deterring you from proceeding, you need to make sure you have the money to start your business. You might have some savings set aside, or you could be considering taking out a small business loan. No matter where the funds come from, it’s important to know how much you’ll need to start your business. This is where your business plan becomes your best friend – it will give you a good idea of the initial investment required.

Related: Finding the money to start a business

Step 4: Set Up the Production Facility

When setting up a jam and jelly business, an important step is setting up your production facility. Choosing between a commercial kitchen or a home-based setup depends on various factors. Before making a decision, check your local cottage food laws with the local health department. These laws govern the types of food you can produce in a home kitchen and how you can sell them. In some places, jams and jellies fall under cottage food laws, allowing you to start your business from the comfort of your own home.

However, if you plan to grow your business or sell your products outside of direct-to-consumer channels, you might require a licensed commercial kitchen. Commercial kitchens are designed to handle larger production volumes and meet stricter health and safety standards.

The decision between a commercial and home kitchen isn’t just about legal requirements, though. You also need to consider practical issues. Do you have enough space at home to store your ingredients, equipment, and finished products? Can your home kitchen handle the heat, mess, and hours required to produce large batches of jam and jelly?

Whether you choose a home or commercial kitchen, it’s important to set up your facility with efficiency in mind. Think about the layout of your workspace, the equipment you’ll need, and how you’ll manage waste and cleaning.

Step 5: Register the Business

Starting a jam and jelly business is an exciting journey, but it’s also one that requires attention to legal details to make sure everything is above board and legal. Each state has different rules, but here is a general overview of what you need to consider:

Business structure: Your business structure will affect many factors, from your business name, to liability, to how you file your taxes. The most common types of business structures are:

• Sole proprietorship: This is the simplest form of business to start and operate. It’s all you, and the setup costs and paperwork are minimal. The downside is that your personal assets are tied to the business.
• General partnership: If you’re teaming up with someone else, this is an option. It’s still relatively straightforward to set up, but it’s important to have a clear agreement on how you’ll run things together. Like a sole proprietor, partners are personally liable for the debts and obligations of the business.
• Corporation: This is a more complex setup where the business becomes its own legal entity. It offers protection for your personal assets, but it comes with more regulations and requirements.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC): An LLC can give you the liability protection of a corporation but with less complexity.

Related: Comparison of business structures

Business name registration: After registering the business structure, you may need to register your business name. This process will vary depending on what business structure you pick. Sole proprietors and partnerships will often be required to register a “Doing Business As” (DBA), while corporations and LLCs register with the state during the formation process.

During this time, it’s also a good idea to check if the name you want is available as a web domain, even if you’re not ready to set up a website yet.

Related: Finding a domain name for your business

Obtain business licenses and permits: The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has guidelines on the safety requirements and labeling of jams and the Food Safety Modernization Act. Additionally, most states also have requirements to follow regarding food safety, however, there are some exclusions for businesses with low volume.

We covered the production earlier, but it bears repeating that each state has its own rules for food production, and it’s necessary to do your research and ensure you’re complying with all regulations. Most states have less strict requirements for a business selling small amounts of product under their cottage food laws. The local health department will be the best place to learn about these requirements.

In addition to food safety-specific licensing, there will likely be general business requirements such as a local business license, sales tax permit, and an Employer Identification Number.

Related: Common business licenses, permits, and registrations by state

Step 6: Create Recipes & Find Suppliers

Once you’ve registered the business, the next step is to create recipes and find suppliers.

This is the fun part, where your creativity gets to shine. Whether making strawberry jam, blackberry jelly, or something more exotic, your recipes need to stand out from the crowd. Experiment with different flavor combinations, but always make sure the end result is something you’re proud to put your name on.

With the recipes sorted, the next task is to find reliable suppliers who can provide you with quality ingredients. Your jams and jellies are only as good as the fruits, sugars, and pectins that go into them. Therefore, it’s important to source the best ingredients possible. This not only ensures the deliciousness of your products but also their consistency, which is key to building a loyal customer base.

Also, consider your packaging. You’ll need to find sources for jars, labels, and other supplies. But it’s more than just finding a supplier – you also need to design packaging that’s appealing and meets food safety standards. Your packaging is often the first thing potential customers see, so it needs to be attractive and clearly communicate what your product is and why it’s special. Also, don’t overlook including contact information on your packaging so customers can reorder.

Step 7: Decide Where To Sell

When you’ve poured your heart into making jams and jellies, the next step is finding the perfect places to sell them. The good news is that there are numerous avenues to explore where your delicious spreads can find a home.

• Farmers’ markets: These are go-to spots for selling homemade products, allowing you to connect directly with consumers who appreciate handcrafted goods.
• Online marketplaces: With the rise of e-commerce, platforms like Etsy or your own website can open doors to a wider audience. It’s convenient, broadens your reach, and can be managed from your home.
• Local stores and co-ops: Small grocery stores, co-ops, and specialty food shops often support local producers. They can be more approachable than large retailers and value unique, locally-made items.
• Craft and food fairs: Seasonal fairs are not just fun; they’re also lucrative spots for selling jams and jellies. These events attract large crowds and are a chance to showcase your products in person.
• Subscription boxes: Partnering with subscription box services can help you tap into an established customer base looking for new and exciting products.
• Social media platforms: Utilize platforms like Instagram and Facebook to create a buzz around your products. A strong online presence can lead to direct sales through social media.
• Food festivals: These festivals are hotspots for foodies. Renting a booth at such events can introduce your products to enthusiasts who are eager to discover new tastes.
• Corporate gifting: Your jams and jellies can be perfect gifts for businesses looking to treat their clients or employees.
• Networking with restaurants and cafés: Some eateries might be interested in featuring local jams on their menu or selling them at the counter.
• Consignment: You can place your products in various local businesses and pay them a percentage of the sales.
• Home tasting events: Host events at your home where guests can taste and buy your products.

Step 8: Prepare to Open!

So far, we have hit the major points, but as you continue your journey toward starting a jam and jelly business, there are probably a few more steps to consider. Each person’s path will be unique, but these are some common loose ends that many entrepreneurs need to tie up before getting started.

Pricing: Pricing involves a careful balance between covering your costs, staying competitive in the market, and reflecting the value of your product. It’s not just about how much it costs you to make each jar of jam or jelly, but also about how much your customers are willing to pay for the quality and uniqueness of your product.

Business insurance: Business insurance can protect you from a range of potential risks, such as property damage or product liability claims.

Setting up bookkeeping: Keeping track of your finances is an important part of running any business. Setting up accounting software and systems will help you manage daily transactions, taxes, and financial statements.

Opening a business bank account: Keeping your business finances separate from your personal finances makes it easier to manage business funds and at tax time.

Accepting credit cards: Offering a variety of payment options can make it easier for customers to purchase your products. There are many credit card processing services that make it easy to get paid from anywhere like  Square or Stripe.