Selling in nh

[acrete]

I'm a small time guy just starting out. In the summer I have a sweet corn stand that does very well, I was thinking of trying to sell some syrup there. I'm just not sure of what I need to do to be able to do that.

[red maples]

First just check with your town your selectmen will be able to tell you what you need to do on a business front. Not sure if all towns are like this but I know in my town East Kingston, if its Agriculture and you made it yourself you don't need a business permit to sell your product I think it needs to be 80% from your own... I think. It must be graded, filtered and bottled correctly (properly filled and bottled above 180*F with your name or sugarhouse house name, address, phone number as per the Dept of Ag.

That's it really. It helps to have insurance too but that's your choice. I have liability Ins and I think its its about $500 or something per year. It just covers your butt for when sally falls in the brook and hurts her knee while mom was buying syrup. most Homeowners policies won't cover that if they are there to buy your products. Just check with your Ins. person if you have one. No sales tax to worry about in NH.

[acrete]

Sounds simple enough, the only thing I'm not entirely sure about is grading the syrup. I bought a temporary grade set from bascoms (https://www.bascommaple.com/item/grstm/grade_sets/) but I'm not sure if that is enough. Can I grade with just that or what do others do?

[red maples]

when did you buy that grading kit? if it says 2014 on it you can't use it you will need to find a 2013 temp kit. or 2012. the new grading kit for the new grading system coming 2015 for NH.

that's all you need for grading its just a color match.

less than and up to that color is the grade

For example: if you want "Grade A dark Amber" then the color must fall between the medium and dark shades. if its darker than the dark color then it is grade B and if its equal to or lighter than the medium color the its medium but they say of youre right on the edge go with the darker grade because it may darken over time.

oh also the brix needs to be 66.9 so make sure you have a hydrometer. the maples guys sell a nice little conversion sheet. check their website. its laminated and has all the temperature coversions on it in brix and baume.

[acrete]

So the kit I bought does say 2014. Why can't I use that one? And where can I find an older one?

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[maple maniac65]

if the grading kit you have does not say light amber, medium amber, dark amber, and grade B it is not legal to use in NH this year. Unforunatly no more of these temporary grading kits are being made this year. There are some 2013 kits available but are getting harder to find. Maybe some of those Vermont sugarmakers would sell their used 2013 kits to us in need on the East side of the river.

[red maples]

I am glad I saved mine from last year because I usually get a new one every year and just use the bottles. Where are you located in NH. you might have someone near by you that you might be able to borrow for when we can actually make syrup!!! when ever that might be........