St. Lucie County, FL
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Getting Started at the Sunshine Kitchen
Start Your Food Business Journey
Your roadmap to launching a food business in St. Lucie County, with the steps and the costs in one place.
The Sunshine Kitchen helps food entrepreneurs in St. Lucie County turn ideas into income. Whether you're starting a catering company, launching a food truck, packaging a product, or building toward your first storefront, this page walks you through what's required and what it costs.
Below you'll find a seven-step checklist for starting a food business in Florida and St. Lucie County, followed by the Sunshine Kitchen's membership pricing and what's included. When you're ready to apply, the application is one click away.
If you're not ready to apply yet, that's fine. Reach out to Regina McCants at (772) 467-3107 to schedule a tour or ask questions before you commit.
Jump to Membership InformationSteps to Start Your Food Business
Starting a food business in Florida means clearing state requirements, the Sunshine Kitchen application, and local licensing in roughly this order. Many of the steps run in parallel.
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1
Register your business with the State of Florida
Choose a business structure that fits your situation (LLC, sole proprietorship, partnership) and file with the Florida Division of Corporations on Sunbiz. The standard filing fee is $130.
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2
Get a Federal Tax ID Number (EIN)
You'll need an Employer Identification Number for federal taxes, contracts, and opening a business bank account. The IRS issues EINs free of charge.
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3
Get business and liability insurance
Food businesses carry general liability insurance to protect against accidents and product issues. FLIP and Nationwide both offer coverage tailored to food and beverage operations.
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4
Earn your Food Safety Manager Certification
Florida requires a Certified Food Manager on staff for most food businesses. ServSafe through the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association is the standard route. Cottage Food Operators are exempt (see the note after step 7).
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5
Apply to the Sunshine Kitchen
Submit your membership application. The application fee is $36, and full pricing for kitchen access and food truck service is in the Membership Information section below.
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6
Get your food permits
Florida requires food permits for most food businesses. Bakers and producers of packaged or bottled goods apply through the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Caterers and mobile food units apply through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Cottage Food Operators are exempt (see the note after step 7).
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7
Get your county and city Business Tax Receipt
Every business in St. Lucie County needs a county Business Tax Receipt from the Tax Collector. If you operate inside Port St. Lucie or St. Lucie Village city limits, you also need a municipal Business Tax Receipt. Inside Fort Pierce city limits, you need a Certificate of Use, which replaced the city Business Tax Receipt in July 2024.
About Cottage Food Operators
Florida law allows Cottage Food Operators to sell limited home-prepared, non-potentially-hazardous foods (jams, breads, dry mixes, candies, and similar products) directly to consumers without a permit, as long as annual gross sales stay under the state limit. If your business qualifies, steps 4 and 6 may not apply. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services maintains the rules and the approved product list.
Membership Information
Two primary memberships cover most members: a monthly Kitchen Membership for food entrepreneurs who need professional kitchen time, and an annual Food Truck membership for operators who only need utility services. First-time fees and storage add-ons are separate.
Primary Memberships
Kitchen Membership
$160
per month minimum
- 8 hours of kitchen time included each month
- 24/7 access to the 10,000 sq ft commercial kitchen
- Use of professional cooking, baking, and packaging equipment
- Available year-round, every day of the year
Plus taxes and platform fees. Additional kitchen time available beyond the 8-hour minimum.
Food Truck Annual
$536
per year
- Fresh water access
- Gray water disposal
- Used oil disposal
- Ice and food trash service
Plus taxes and platform fees. Utilities only, no kitchen access. For food trucks operating from their own vehicle.
First-Time Fees
Required when you sign up. Pay these alongside your first month or annual fee.
Application Fee
$36
one-time
Submitted with your application.
Security Deposit
$255
refundable
KITCHEN CLIENTS ONLY
Refunded when you leave the kitchen in good standing.
Key Card
$10
per card
KITCHEN CLIENTS ONLY
Replacement cards are $15 each.
Storage Add-Ons
Optional. Add storage to keep your supplies and finished products on site between shifts.
Cold and Freezer Storage
$56
per month
Single door cooler or freezer.
Dry Storage Cage
$51
per month
One cage, locked.
How to Pay
The application fee is $36.00. The Sunshine Kitchen accepts credit cards, checks, and money orders. All payments must be made payable to St. Lucie County. A member of the Sunshine Kitchen staff will contact you concerning payment. Cash payment may be made in person, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.