Step 1: Do Your Research

• Use the resources on this website to determine if your product can be manufactured at Blue Ridge Food Ventures, and that you have the human and financial resources to bring it to market.
• Drafting your marketing and financial plans will enable you to answer questions that will come up during your initial visit with Blue Ridge Food Ventures staff.

Step 2: Contact Us

• After you have reviewed all the steps to launch your business and studied the resources available, please fill out and submit the NEW CLIENT APPLICATION & PRODUCT INFORMATION SHEET
• Once you have submitted your information sheet, SCHEDULE A TELEPHONE CONSULTATION.

Step 3: Complete the New Client Intake Process

• Once you and Blue Ridge Food Ventures staff have agreed that you will become a client and go into production at our facility, download and complete the following document:
  • New Client Intake Packet

• If you will be making a Natural Product, you will also need to complete and bring in a copy of your Product Ingredient Checklist. All natural products produced at BRFV must be made using food-grade ingredients.
• INSURANCE: If you are a caterer, making a consumer packaged good or are a mobile food unit storing foods and/or beverages at BRFV, you will also need to obtain a $2,000,000 product liability insurance policy. This policy must name BRFV as the additional insured. A good place to start is the Food Liability Insurance Program (FLIP). This link will take you to BRFV’s linked insurance sign-up page – you can use coupon code “blueridgefoodventures” to receive a discount on your policy!
• FOOD SAFETY TRAINING: All client businesses making food for human consumption at BRFV that are inspected by the Department of Environmental Health MUST also possess a valid ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification. Sign up for classes here or here.
• Bring your completed application packet, insurance, certificate(s) and any applicable fees to your next scheduled meeting with Blue Ridge Food Ventures staff.

NOTICE: Tours must be scheduled and pre-approved.