People Interested in Your Food Business

Municipal zoning office has details on:

• Roadsign set-back and size restrictions.
• Property use designations (which can affect processing foods on-farm or having festivals).

Municipal tax office has the forms for the local business license and gross sales tax.

Municipal health bureau, if established, may have its own requirements for sanitation, such as a certification program for food handlers.

County Weights & Measures Sealer has the authority to approve measuring devices and scales in order to sell foods by measure.

State and federal regulations and laws that apply to the sale of agricultural or food products are in every county's Law Library.

• For state regulations, review the Pennsylvania Code, Title 7, Agriculture.
• Federal regulations appear in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 7, Agriculture and Title 21, Food and Drugs.
• State laws and amendments, such as the "right to market" (P.L. 454), can be obtained from the PA Legislative Reference Bureau, phone (717) 787-7385.

PA Small Business Resource Network offers the free booklet, Pennsylvania Small Business Operations and Resource Guide. This is a thorough review of operations, state regulations, and advisory services for small businesses. Contact the Network at (717) 783-5700, or write 461 Forum Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120.

PA Department of Revenue offices have:

• The State Sales Tax Guide, a free booklet on tax-able items (plus a tax rate table).
• The form, Application for Sales Use and Hotel Occupancy Tax License, to collect sales tax.

PA Dept. of Transportation district offices have:

• Driveway permit and inspection, required before making a new entrance onto state roads.
• A roadsign application and permit, required for off-premise signs along state roads.
• Tourist-oriented display signs for farmers' markets, farm markets and wineries.

US Food and Drug Administration must inspect any food processor selling products across state lines, prior to plant operation. Call the main state FDA office in Philadelphia at (215) 597-4393, or district offices in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, or Scranton (see blue pages).

US Postal Service offers the free guide, Third-Class Mail Preparation, explaining bulk rate savings and procedures for those mailing advertising. Call the customer service office at the larger regional US Postal Service centers for a copy.

PDA - Region VII
Frank Stearns, Director
Creamery, PA
Phone: 610-489-1003

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