Selling sap retail

[Cedar Eater]

I had this idea that I don't plan to do anything about, but ya never know. It seems to me that there might be a market for people who want to boil their own maple syrup from purchased sap, just like there are people who buy pickling cukes to make their own pickles. There seem to be very few tappers in my area, judging from what I see of memberships in forums and the lack of tubing or buckets along the roads. But I think a lot of locals have turkey fryers and canning pots. I could put an ad in the local paper that says "Buy sap and make your own maple syrup. Email xxxxxxx@xxxxxxx for details and sap reservations." I could tell people to bring their own containers and sell minimum orders of 5 gallons to make about a pint.

So I'm wondering if sap qualifies as produce or whatever and what kind of state regulations might be involved. Since I wouldn't be processing it, I wouldn't think it would require labeling or licensed facilities. Any thoughts on the legality?

[Greenthumb]

Can always try it. You will never know. I've seen sap goes goes for pennies a gallon so it seems like a lot work but keep us posted

[Tater]

Might be more feasible if you run through an RO first before selling. But then that might be considered processing. I have no idea what the legal issues are with syrup, much less sap!

[Cedar Eater]

Might be more feasible if you run through an RO first before selling. But then that might be considered processing. I have no idea what the legal issues are with syrup, much less sap!

The legal issues with syrup are onerous. You have to have a commercial FDA spec kitchen for boiling if you sell the syrup. I wouldn't want to do anything other than harvest sap for those who want to roil their own. Let them experience the fun of sitting around a turkey fryer outside with boiling sodas. They may not have trees or may not want the hassle or risk of tapping. I have more trees to tap than I care to process. I would bet there are people who would pay up to $1/gallon to make their own gourmet pint or quart, but I really wouldn't be in it for the money. I was thinking 25 cents per gallon for 5 gallons minimum.

[maple flats]

That's under priced. Look at the charts in The Maple Digest for suggested pricing. At typical price is $.35/gal +/-. A lot of that depends on the sugar %.

[BobMac]

Cedar Eater, under the Cottage food act you don't need a a FDA spec kitchen to sell your syrup

http://www.michigan.gov/mdard/0,4610,7-125-50772_45851-240577--,00.html#MapleSyrup

just go to the top of the page

[Cedar Eater]

Cedar Eater, under the Cottage food act you don't need a a FDA spec kitchen to sell your syrup

http://www.michigan.gov/mdard/0,4610,7-125-50772_45851-240577--,00.html#MapleSyrup

just go to the top of the page

Your cite contains this "Honey and maple syrup are not considered cottage foods, because the regulatory requirements and exemptions have some significant differences." and this "Honey and maple syrup producers who meet the licensing exemptions still must meet all requirements of the Michigan Food Law, including sanitation, building construct and design, employee hygiene, etc." So what does that mean? Honey and maple syrup sales at low enough levels are exempt from licensing and inspections, but the need for the processing facilities to comply with the Michigan Food Law, which quotes the FDA building regulations, tells me that you still have to jump through the hoops.

[Cedar Eater]

That's under priced. Look at the charts in The Maple Digest for suggested pricing. At typical price is $.35/gal +/-. A lot of that depends on the sugar %.

I wouldn't guarantee a sugar content or worry about whether it was under-priced. Selling in only small quantities at below market value is a way to get more people roiling their own and offload any excess sap beyond what I want to boil.