Sales-Visitor Areas
Construction of sales areas can range from a simple self-serve system to a complete salesroom devoted to not only the syrup but other items to compliment the maple syrup. This can include other maple products such as maple cream, candy and sugar. Some producers have increased the variety of products they handle to include jams, jellies and other products. Other items often found in larger sales areas include recipe books, clothing items, aprons, home made crafts and the like.
Federal and state regulations will govern how elaborate you need to be when planning your sales area. When the public is invited into a sales area you may have to include construction of restroom facilities as well as proper lighting, ventilation and handicap access. Be sure to consider all regulations before beginning the development of your sales room.
Regulations also apply to the type of maple syrup container in which the syrup is offered for sale. A producer becomes a food processor when offering maple syrup for sale and must package their syrup so that it will compete with other quality food items in appearance and appeal.