From Dreams to Dishes: How I Turned a Food Handler’s Certificate into a Thriving Home Business in Canada

I am Swati Goyal, and I immigrated to Canada about 3 years ago. Honestly speaking, when we (Me, My husband and two kids) immigrated to Canada, we were full of dreams for a better life. However, after landing and struggling for 2 months, like many newcomers, we realised that reality was different from our dreams. My husband is a qualified accountant and after some struggle could find work at a small firm, but his salary was not enough for the life we had imagined. In India, we had better life and facilities that even for minor jobs, we had house maids to help, while here every menial job had to be done ourselves as affording any house help is just out of question.

With two young children, taking a full-time job outside the home was not possible for me. Cooking had been my hobby from very beginning. Many families in our neighbourhood also had working couples, students etc, for whom the cooking or getting Indian food was a big hassle. So, I decided to try my luck and start something small as home delivery of food right in my own kitchen, just to supplement the family income.

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1 Here is my story as how I started my home-based food business in Canada, maybe it will help you get started with something of your passion to get settled in Canada or to supplement your income.

2 Local requirement to get Getting Certified as a Food Handler

3 Getting a Home Business License- necessary per local regulations while at same time builds trust with customers.

4 Launching the Business with a shoestring Budget

5 The Results- Not Bad, rather encouraging

5.1 This really changed our Life

5.2 Dreams have grown bigger now- I am now thinking about opening a storefront one day, God willing.

5.3 A piece of Advice:

5.4 About Post Author

5.4.1 Terry

Here is my story as how I started my home-based food business in Canada, maybe it will help you get started with something of your passion to get settled in Canada or to supplement your income.

Local requirement to get Getting Certified as a Food Handler

It is mandatory requirement in Canada to have a Food Handler Certificate for selling the food whether from a commercial place or from home. This certification also helps develop customer confidence and enhance business reputation.

I applied for the food handler certificate online with Toronto Public Health, as I am in Toronto. Other options are to apply from Canadian Food Safety Group, or the local health authority in your area.

The course is self paced and I completed in about 20 hours as I am to take care of kids also, while if you have no such responsibility, can do in about 8-10 hours as well.

Thereafter, I took online exam, exam fees is $70 and the certificate is valid for 5 years. Thereafter you would have to renew the same.

However, you may check with local service provider for the fees and other details as requirements may vary depending on your city or province.

Getting a Home Business License- necessary per local regulations while at same time builds trust with customers.

I applied for the Business license online through Business Licensing Portal  of City of Toronto. You may check for similar platform in your city or province. This license is essential to stay clear of any legal trouble later on.

Documents required for the Business License are Proof of residence, Valid ID, Food Handler Certificate and Zoning clearance. Zoning clearance is required to validate that your home is zoned for small food businesses

Fees for the license is $150 per year, please check the fees as applicable for your location.

License is issued with in 2–3 weeks, I got in 18 days.

Launching the Business with a shoestring Budget

I started with homestyle common Indian dishes as rotis, dals(lentils), Mixed vegetables, Poori Bhaaji (at weekends). Busy families, students, working couples were my principal customers.

All the ingredients for cooking as Vegetables, lentils, Masalas to suit Indian taste buds are available locally.

Next hurdle was how to announce the world that I have arrived to meet their requirements. I started with social media; WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and local community groups, poster on nearby temples and gurudwaras to begin with, where I shared menus and offers.

I worked hard to keep in initial costs low to ensure having some income to begin with.

 The Results- Not Bad, rather encouraging

With in about 4 months of starting the business, I touched net monthly earnings of $2,500 working just about 4 hours within comfort of my home. This income, now after about 18 months stands at $6,000 a month.

Slowly the demand started growing especially for weekend meals and thereafter for small home parties.

Throughout I priced my products very fairly so as to offer my customers attractive option. The ponly challenge is faced was to source ingredients in bulk and to have adequate stock of each item every time.

This really changed our Life

This extra income made a good difference to our life. The random thoughts of returning back to India due to financial pressures were gone. We can now afford weekend outings, small luxuries, and are saving for our first home.

As any lady would wish to have financial independence, I now feel empowered and more settled in Canada. I can now afford to spend on some small luxuries which I could not from the single income of my husband.

Dreams have grown bigger now- I am now thinking about opening a storefront one day, God willing.

If you are a new immigrant dreaming of a better life in Canada, and frustrated at not getting a job, think of Starting Small. You don’t need a big investment to begin. Use what you have your skills.

Canada offers many resources for small business owners. You can take advantage of these resources and community support.

A piece of Advice:

Stay Legal, don’t save on legal compliances as certifications and licenses. The saving on these will not be worth the trouble that could be waiting for want of these compliances.

As for the initial promotion of the business, social media comes very handy and ensure good customer relations so that with word of mouth, you can grow your customer base without spending a lot. It is not always easy, but with persistence and passion, you can build a life you love in Canada.

Feel free to leave your comments below, Welcome to Canada—your new home!

About Post Author

Terry

Terry, a writer and immigration expert with 10+ years as a content creator and advocate, helps newcomers navigate Canada’s system. Collaborating with consultants and agencies, Terry decodes PR risks and job challenges in trusted blogs. A storyteller and maple syrup fan, Terry authored a popular guide for new Canadians.

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