Source
r/Etsy•
jameskay91

Coffee anyone?

Hi everyone,

Potentially a new store in the offing but at the minute I'm just trying to gauge if anyone would be interested in buying coffee on etsy? I have been roasting my own beans and been experimenting with things, and would quite like to try selling it.

I realise that Etsy probably seems like a strange place to sell coffee beans, but I'm not looking to do anything major. Just a hobby as such.

I've had a look around on Etsy and there doesn't seem to be many doing the same thing. I'm curious if this is because there isn't a market for it, or if people just haven't considered selling coffee on Etsy.

Initially I would be selling in 30g resealable bags. Things like price point, degree of roast and flavour would be subject to feedback

Any thoughts are appreciated :)

Posted Sep 7, 2016, 10:32 AM UTC

58
pickleladyPickleladyVintage, PickleladyPapers, PickleladyFarm•

Make sure you're allowed to do this as a "cottage industry" in your state. Some allow it without licensing, others do not. Also, get licensed either way. Your kitchen should be inspected if you are offering things for the public to eat. And plaster it all over your site that you are inspected and licensed. I personally don't buy food from anyone who isn't.

Finally, international sales may be an issue-- check laws.

12
eeveevolvedAQuarterToTea•

This!

It's near impossible to have a personal kitchen meet food industry standards without being built specifically with them in mind. Look into churches and schools. They will frequently rent out time in their licensed kitchens, though.

Sales across state lines are not allowed without licensing. And definitely look into international laws on food. Off the too of my head, Australia and South Korea have been exceptional hardasses.

8
0hn035•

My local maker's space has an industrial kitchen. Another place to check into.

3
PaintballKittyShopOneTreeLane•

Cottage industry only works in most states so long as the product doesn't leave the state, once it sells across state lines in most cases you need the correct food handling certificates.

5
0hn035•

I have purchased tons of coffee on etsy!

Edit:

I bought about 30 different small 1-pot packs last year from different vendors for stocking stuffers and gifts for guys on my husband's boat. I would recommend doing the smaller sizes, as many people are like to try before they buy a big bag.

4
tatertotpixiedesignsbykepi & designskepidomestic•

oh! Or a sample pack of 1-3 diff roasts/types/flavors

5
elbatalia•

We do sell coffee, among other things, but we sell only greek/turkish coffee. I also have been searching for coffee sellers, because I want to try new flavors. But apparently noone sells internationally, just inside US.

2
willowsa•

In addition to the concerns about licensing that others have noted, I'd be worried about shipping costs. Coffee is heavy. If you figure 1lb is many people's weekly supply, that adds up quickly. That will either cut into your profit margins by eating up more of your profit than it should (if you under bill shipping to get the sales) or put people off buying if you charge the full price.

2