Is it legal to have an aquaponics system at a resturant?

[John Gelineau]

I am wondering if anyone has looked into the legal ramifications of opperating a system at a resturans who used both produce and fish on site. Im sure local laws would come into play as well but any information will be helpful.

Thanks

[Kironde Hearn]

Make sure you identify authorities in your state that deal with food safety, especially in a large city like mine, Chicago.  I started conversations with the Department of Public Health, specifically the Food Protection Division.  Another way is to contact your local Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, they will at least have criteria as to type of license required to open a facility to market the aquaponic model.  There is a place called Future Farm; they have been awarded food safe practice status from Department of agriculture, that's big, especially since big grocers look for that labeling from vendors.

[Food Safety Guy]

Great concept!  If you design the restaurant and aquaponic system correctly you could have the guests grab their produce and fish right from the farm and cook it themselves on a tempon table.  Be like an aquaponic buffet. :)

[Kironde Hearn]

Mr Food Safety Guy, great idea, please say more about that.

[TCLynx]

Yes, how would you go about designing it so that the guess could do it?  And what if they didn't want to clean the produce and fish themselves?

[Food Safety Guy]

Did you know food safety guys can have a sense of humor? I even put a smiley face on the post. :)

But now that I think about it that would be cool restaraunt, my sons would love to pick out their fish, veggies and watch it be prepared and cooked.

[TCLynx]

Pick your own, right at the restaurant!  I like the idea too.

[Kironde Hearn]

Well, some of the best ideas came out of jesting, so here's one for the books.  Keep up the humor, and I will keep my pen handy, good job.

Food Safety Guy said:

Did you know food safety guys can have a sense of humor? I even put a smiley face on the post.

But now that I think about it that would be cool restaraunt, my sons would love to pick out their fish, veggies and watch it be prepared and cooked.

[Tom OBrien]

I read a story a while ago about a place in Florida that raised their own tilapia, with some fish in show tanks inside the restaurant. If I remember right, I think they had an aquaponic setup.

[TCLynx]

Do you remember where Tom?  I know green sky growers is on the roof top in down town winter garden but I don't know if there is a restaurant in the building that serves their produce but that isn't quite the same thing.