Timbo, For scales, you need to spend some bigger $$ if you intend to get a food permit and sell products commercially. The issue is you are obligated to use retail grade scales that are regularly calibrated by an approved 3rd party. Retail grade scales are typically a good 30 - 60% more expensive compared to non-retail. Also, there are plenty of cheap commercial scales out there that give the appearance of looking just like they are retail scales, but they are not. Unfortunately, the scale market has been consolidated by a large player buying up many of the smaller guys so the competition is not really happening. Yes, there are always the cheaper imports, but alas they don't last long. Even the big player have their cheap & cheerful imports available with fat margins. Buy bigger scales than you think you need so you can also use them for other purposes. It is not a requirement to use retail scales for measuring green beans prior to roasting - just thought I would clear up that one - it's only on finished products.
