Fermentations mobile

This page is dedicated to the project "FermentationMobile (fm)" coordinated by Algoldor.

I'm coordinating set up of mobile fermentation center where we can do experimental fermentation, educate people and it can serve as a legal production and vending point of fermented and other products at variety of events and places. After nearly of decade of brewing around the world I came to conclusion that having mobile base where kvasirs (brewers, fermentors) can do what they love and legally generate money by their activities which they need for their life is fair and sustainable way to promote the fermentation arts&science in long term.

Current Situation

• 20/3/2017

We have decided to go for trailer option because of the lower cost of the unit when purchasing and most likely no insurance payments during the year. From the legal entities the "micro-enterprise" sounds now most interesting, more legal investigations needs to be done.

Project LOG

In this section you find the log of the project.

Main topics

The Fermentation Mobile unit needs to be able to generate income fulfilling the legal requirements.

Fallowing objectives needs to be accomplished:

• legal production of foods&drinks needs to be possible, best option would be producing directly at the fermentation mobile which would secure mobility of the project
• legal sale of products made at fermentation mobile and also other products needs to be possible
• giving workshops and classes has to be legally possible
• trailer/mobile unit has to be bought, refurnished and licensed for food&drink production and sale
• legal entity most likely micro-entreprise needs to be acquired, such that it will allow for all above and preferably will not cut social benefits from the state at least at the beginning of the project
• producing and selling alcohol in the future would be highly desirable, therefore it should be already considered when deciding on legal entity and refurnishing, licensing of the fm

Mobile Unit

There are two main possibilities to move around easily at the moment. One is a truck option the second is trailer option. They have both advantages and disadvantages.

Truck option:

• Advantages:
  • mobile by itself, all in one
  • easier to park and manage at the locations
  • lower gas consumption - compared to car and trailer option it should consume less fuel
  • may be easier to adapt/rebuild if the "box car" version is used
• Disadvantages
  • more expensive - €6 000 - 8 000 cost for reasonable vehicle
  • car insurance and road tax has to be paid even when not used

Trailer option:

• Advantages
  • €500-1000 for basic frame, €1000-4000 for trailer with whole framework in place, therefore cheaper than truck to buy and also importantly probably no tax or lower tax needs to be paid when not in use later on
• Disadvantages
  • can not be moved without a car
  • harder to manage at the location
  • higher fuel consumption of whole set up compared to the truck
  • the weight limit may be an issue, especially if 750 kg is the top without need for special type of license, for bigger events like SHA2017 where around 1000 l or more of drinks may be needed it is severe limitation (can be avoided to a degree by getting special permit)
  • may be harder to build up on the wheel base
  • if higher weight limit is needed getting specific car to move it may be necessary

Legal Law Entity

There are several legal entities which could be used to legally produce and sell probiotic drinks and foods and possibly alcoholic beverages. "Educative Non Profit Organization" seems as most easy way. Another bit more difficult but still probably doable option would be becoming officially a "farmer", selling alcoholic beverages would be again more complicated. Third option which is quite new but maybe actually most feasible is micro-entreprise structure.

All options needs to be investigated, I hope to collaborate on this project with my school which objective should be to prepare me for the French job market - either as employee or self-employed, at least that is what I assume.

• Educational Non Profit Organization
  • the whole legal procedure since applying till being able to operate should take around one month
  • accounting system should be very simple
  • from the profit - no direct wages can be paid to "founder/operator" (details has to be researched)
  • from the profit - it is possible to pay variety of expenses like ingredients, fermentation equipment, fuel etc.

• Farmer
  • land would have to be bought or rather rented, minimum size has to be researched, for the baker for example it is around 3 hectares.

• Micro-entreprise
  • increasingly popular concept for small scale business activities. I've met with two persons who are using this entity, one of them is owner and operator of two food trailers and he recommended me micro-entreprise structure because of several reasons which will be discussed later. It seems to fit my requirements best, except production and sale of alcohol at least during first season.

Documentation&links

Micro Entreprise Info how to set up small business in France, Expatica, in English.

Hôtel et Pépinière d'entreprises Cherbourg en Cotentin - Incubator for business projects in Cherbourg, help with planning the project, especially obtaining the legal entity may be acquired.

example of horse trailer, double wheel, with base of course and it looks like decent frame for €450, Netherlands.