The Food Business Resource Fair featured multiple regional agencies partnered together to help give business owners a boost in the process of opening their food businesses.
The event aims to help educate attendees on regulations, required permits and licensing, and all other resources they need to successfully open their food business.
Jalene Cruz, who attended the event, says she’s really grateful to be given an opportunity like this.
“As a young business owner, you have just so many questions and the internet can be really resourceful, but it can also be daunting because you don’t know exactly what to look for and I think here I’ve gotten literally every question answered so I’m very thankful to have an event like this even exist,” she said.
Fourteen agencies worked together at the event. Some of them include Northern Nevada Public Health, Nevada Secretary of State, Washoe County, and Small Business Development Center.
They provide information and resources to start and expand your food business. They offer assistance with filling out licenses and permit applications. And you can even bring your mobile cart or food truck for free for a pre-inspection and expert guidance that would normally cost about $500.
“We let them know things that they may not ordinarily know like distances for the appliances, things like that, so as a courtesy if we can give them that information, they can get it fixed before they apply for a business license,” said Sylvia Lee, fire prevention captain of Reno Fire Department.
No licenses or permits are issued at the event. It is just a learning opportunity that provides all the needed paperwork.