How to Start a Cottage Food Business in Florida: Lessons from the Lentil House

Today we’re getting a crash course in Florida’s cottage food industry from two people who’ve learned the ins and outs. Sharlay Smith is the owner and founder of the Lentil House. It’s a Jacksonville-based snack food company that she started after taking a class about cottage food businesses offered by the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) in 2017. And Amarat "Amy" Simonne, PhD, is a professor and food safety specialist with UF/IFAS. In this conversation, you’ll hear the Lentil House story and learn next steps toward your own cottage food goals. For information on cottage food courses, contact your local UF/IFAS extension office.Related episodes: How to Snack Smarter Eat Better, Feel Better: Simple Swaps from Carly Paige of FitLiving Eats How to Start a Community Garden: Lessons from University Area CDC’s Harvest Hope Community Garden