Starting a Food Business · BC Food Business Guide
A Surrey-specific startup guide covering City of Surrey business licensing, Fraser Health food approvals, FOODSAFE, costs and commercial kitchen space near Surrey. Use this checklist as a starting point, and verify current requirements with the appropriate authorities.
What to do before you launch
- 1Define your food business model and where you will sell: catering, meal prep, baked goods, food truck, packaged products, market stalls or delivery. List your menu, preparation steps and storage needs; requirements vary by activity.
- 2Choose a business structure and register or incorporate through BC Registries where required. Review CRA business number, GST/HST, payroll and WorkSafeBC obligations for your circumstances.
- 3Check City of Surrey business licensing and zoning rules for your proposed activity and address. A Surrey business licence is distinct from provincial registration and health approval; home-based, mobile and commercial operations can have different rules.
- 4Contact Fraser Health before selling food to confirm whether your specific operation needs a health operating permit, approval, plans or an inspection. Ask what menus, food safety and sanitation plans, kitchen documents and other materials you must submit.
- 5Confirm FOODSAFE Level 1 or recognized-equivalent training requirements for your operation. Keep proof of training and do not assume that a kitchen's existing approvals automatically cover your separate business.
- 6Choose an appropriate approved production location. If a home kitchen is not permitted for your products, consider a shared commissary; PurePrep operates a commercial kitchen at #301 – 20381 62 Avenue in nearby Langley, not in Surrey.
- 7Build a launch budget covering ingredients, packaging, kitchen hours, equipment, refrigeration, transport, insurance, licences, staffing and marketing. Check your selling prices against real costs.
- 8Complete required approvals and inspections before opening. Then set up reliable production, temperature-control, delivery and recordkeeping procedures and review any additional rules for markets, mobile vending or wholesale sales.
Official BC resources
Find a kitchen that fits your business
PurePrep offers shared commercial kitchen memberships in Langley and Greater Victoria. Explore our membership options, learn who our kitchens are for, or book a tour to discuss your specific equipment, schedule and storage needs.
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