What do you need to sell eggs?

[Mac in Wisco]

Which state are you in?

 

[Tala]

Depends on your state.

Ours says something along the lines of "unless you sell 4000 dozen eggs you don't need a permit" and goes on to say that your name and address must be on the carton, plus I think it should say "ungraded eggs" or some such. The state has a searchable database on the laws, but it's been down for "remodeling" for a while now so I can't pull it up for quotes.

When I give eggs to friends/family I just write "Farley Farm" on the reused carton, so that they know from a glance in the fridge that they're from us instead of store bought - they all know where to find us.

 

[tnchickenut]

I'm pretty sure if you are selling ANYTHING to be eaten you have to get all the certifications and even health codes passed.... but! Everyone is right. They don't enforce anything like this... until they do. Chances are if you are selling a dozen here and a dozen there... you won't be in their sights. Stick with friends and family to be safe.

If you are serious about wanting to make it a legit biz... contact your health department. They will help you get all the things in order.

 

[Cindy in PA]

Quote:
Most times if you are selling things for eating it depends on whether it is processed or not. An egg is not processed. In PA if I sell green beans from my garden it's OK, if I sell canned string beans from my garden, I have to have a certified kitchen. Things vary by State, but legally all I have to do is use new cartons & put my name and address on them to sell to the public. There is no permit etc. for a small operation for eggs.

 

[Cowgirlgrace]

In the state of Washington you don't need anything if you sell from the farm. To sell, for example, at the Farmers Market you need an egg handlers permit and are required to follow WSDA rules. You also need a Health Dept permit. You have to use new cartons properly printed with the warnings and nutritional info, candle for air cells/grade, and blood spots also weigh for size. Purchase stickers for the egg cartons from WSDA stating they were graded. Then you have to keep them in a cooler at 40*. At our market they do have inspecters and they come around with their temp gauge and check your temps. They usually come around two times each summer. I'm sure there is more that I'm not remembering right now. Lots of red tape so unless you have tons of eggs and are willing to go through all the hoops (in WA) stick to selling from your farm. They also don't need to know if you are transporting them to work. No one cares but the government. The less they get involved in our farms the better. There is some good info in the WSDA handling info like the proper way to wash in water warmer than the egg so the bacteria comes out of the egg rather than getting sucked in and spray washing rather than soaking and getting them dried asap. Even selling from the farm there are things you should be doing.

 

[possumhunter]

Quote:
Perfect! I'm in WA state so this is great info. I'm looking to maybe sell a couple dozen on CL now and then, but nothing high volume. So this should be perfect. I will check out the info from WSDA.

Thanks!

 

[8Chicks4Ky]

I am in western PA. I have 8 chickens and have been selling to friends and giving to family for almost a year. Today, I went to sell at the farmer's market and was told that I could not put a price on my eggs since I did not have a license. However, I could ask for a donation to get around that. On average, I got $2/dozen for the 4 dozen that I had with me. One lady only gave me 1.50 for one of my dozens, which makes me think it's not worth it. Typically I ask for $2 from friends and was going to ask $2.50 at the market for my regular eggs and 3.50 for my one dozen jumbo eggs (they were so big the carton didn't close all the way.