Starting up in food in Ōtepoti

Startup Dunedin and the Dunedin City Council have collated a series of helpful resources for founders, new startups, businesses, and community projects going in the food and beverage industry.

This is designed to be your best first step and cover the basics of starting up in food.

If you have questions about any of this content, or you’d like to meet with us to discuss your next steps, click here!

Table of Contents

  1. First Stop - Compliance and Food Safety

  2. Support with starting up - the business end of things.

  3. Retail - Accessing the retail space

  4. Other important info - building Use, signage, etc.

Your First Stop

The Dunedin City Council has guidelines on how to navigate the world of compliance when starting up in food. If you want to open or take over an existing food business, the team strongly recommend you get in touch with Environmental Health staff before you kick off.

Read about your compliance, health and safety responsibilities here.

 
 
 

The Dunedin City Council Environmental Health team should be the first stop you make on your food business journey. Environmental Health will let you know what policies and legislation you’ll need for the type of food business you’re thinking of starting.

Compliance and Food Safety resources

  • For help understanding packaging and labels, click here.

  • Operating from home is a great option for food start-ups, talk to the Environmental Health team so you know what is needed to make this possible. If you’d prefer to hire a kitchen space, contact good.food@dcc.govt.nz for support.

  • To operate as a registered food business, ensure you have a Food Control Plan and approval from Environmental Health.

  • Planning to sell or provide alcohol? You'll require a license. Schedule an appointment by calling (03) 477-4000.

  • Food handling and safety is an important requirement for food businesses. If you are unsure of the food handling regulations in New Zealand, consider taking a food handling course - click here to learn more.

Support with starting your business

Startup Dunedin offers free meetings for anyone starting up in Dunedin: no matter if you’ve got a brand new idea or you’re working on an existing startup. It doesn’t matter what your experience level is, or what sector you’re starting up in - it’s always free to access our support.

There’s no wrong door here. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, just get in touch with the team and we’ll help you find what you need.

Your toolkit for getting started

Remember: you can meet with the Startup Dunedin team at any stage of your journey. It’s always free, and we can help you find the connections to funding, tools, resources, and support that you are looking for. Click here to learn more.

Accessing the retail space

To get into local food retailers, you’ll want to contact your local stores to see if your product fits with their range.

Things to consider:

  • How much can you supply? How much demand will there likely be?

  • Product placement - where is it on the shelf?

  • Pricing - How much will it be with markup?

    • Will you do promotions?

  • Do you have high quality product imagery/packaging?

Otago Farmers Market

The Otago Farmers Market is an authentic food market. It is first and foremost a FOOD MARKET, also including plants, both edible and ornamental.

All vendors are the growers or producers of their product, and all the vendors are from the wider Otago province.

  • How to become a vendor.

  • It can be helpful to pay a visit the farmers market and ask the question - do you have different offerings?

Other considerations 

Common Questions:


Questions and topics to consider include:

  • Can I put a sign, tables and chairs out the front of my place?

  • What does Fire rating mean?

  • Accessibility

Food Truck / Mobile Hawkers

Networks, Groups & Connections