Author: the greater goods

Starting a food business can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be challenging. One of the most important decisions you will make is selecting the right manufacturers for your products. When making this decision, there are many factors to consider, such as quality, price, and delivery time. This blog post will discuss how to find the right manufacturers for your food business and how to negotiate the best deal possible!

The Right Food Manufacturer for You

There are many different food manufacturers, each with advantages, knowledge, and advantages to food manufacturers. On a case-by-case basis, you must identify a manufacturer. Your needs are unique to you. Therefore, you need to locate a supplier that can match your priorities.

How to Find a Manufacturer

Suppose you choose to work with Greater Goods to locate a manufacturing partner. In that case, we can assist you throughout the process, from being clear about requirements to shortlisting and selecting potential partners. We can help you with preparation and questions or even go to meetings with potential partners to act as your technological expert.

Create a Shortlist

Create a shortlist based on your needs. We use our knowledge and network of connections to develop a list of manufacturers that can meet your specifications.

Review and Explain

We’ll discuss the shortlist with you in a few minutes. We’ll provide you with choices and explain what they are and why they’re essential.

Assist with the Process

You’ll need to contact a shortlist of vendors and invite them to discuss your requirements and provide a quotation. Greater Goods may help you with these talks by suggesting questions you should ask, how a manufacturer operates, and what they would be worried about. Alternatively, Greater Goods could take on the position of Food Technologist and engage in the process.

Negotiate the Best Deal Possible

Once you’ve selected the manufacturer you’d like to work with, it’s time to negotiate the best possible deal. This is where having an expert on your side can be extremely helpful. Greater Goods has a team of experienced negotiators who can help you get the best terms possible.

Product and Process Specification

This is a requirement of your agreement with the manufacturer. Its main goal is to guarantee that you get what you desire from experience. It also enables the manufacturer to have a concrete specification against which it can calculate its costs.

Batch Test and Sampling

Manufacturers will almost certainly source the components, and, as a result, it is critical to continue testing and fine-tuning the formula until total production begins. There’s usually some change to the recipe for a product from small-scale manufacturing to the factory. Again, having an expert like Greater Goods on board might be beneficial at the end of the process to ensure you’re getting the right product.

Conclusion

In conclusion, finding the right manufacturer for your food business is critical. It can be challenging to know where to start with so many manufacturers to choose from. However, by following these tips and working with an experienced team you can be sure to find the perfect partner for your business!So, think you could benefit from the help of a food business consultant? Contact us today to discuss your needs!

Does your brand use environmentally friendly packaging?

If not, it may be time to rethink your design. Consumers seem to be showing a preference for eco-friendly products, designs, and businesses in 2021, and it’s expected that this trend will continue into 2022. In fact, the global green packaging market is projected to grow from $267.83 billion USD in 2021 to $385.34 billion USD by 2028, so it’s a good time to start looking into more sustainable packaging solutions, as your competition is likely doing the same.

For those who are looking to stay ahead of the eco-friendly packaging game, here are some of the eco-conscious packaging trends to watch out for in 2022.

Compostable Packaging

Some brands have already made the switch to compostable packaging, much to the joy of eco-conscious consumers. Instead of taking up space in a landfill, compostable packaging can break down and release nutrients into the earth, creating the right conditions for new plants to grow. It also helps minimize carbon emissions related to the hauling and processing of materials, further reducing a business’ carbon footprint. Some examples of compostable packaging that you may want to investigate include starch, paper, recycled paper pulp, and moulded palm fibre.

Smart or Connected Packaging

Have you noticed that some companies have been including QR codes on their packaging lately? This kind of smart or connected packaging uses these QR codes to allow brands to share information about their products that may be of interest to the customer. If they’re trying to appeal to the eco-conscious consumer, they may include information about the product’s source ingredients, what kinds of sustainable practices were used to produce it, and information on how to dispose of it in an environmentally friendly manner. Essentially, you’re letting your customers learn more about your products without creating any extra waste, which is a win for both the customer and the environment.

Micro-Perforated Films

If you’re in the food business, then you may want to consider using micro-perforated films in your packaging materials. These films contain tiny holes that allow air to circulate around the product while still protecting it from the outside environment. This can help extend the shelf life of products such as fresh produce, which in turn helps reduce food waste. The less wasteful we are the better for the environment, and customers will likely appreciate the effort.

Local Packaging Suppliers

While using eco-friendly packaging materials are an important step toward implementing more sustainable practices, they’re certainly not the only piece of the puzzle. If brands really want to show some accountability for their environmental impact, then they also need to consider how they’re going to reduce their carbon footprint. And one of the best ways to do this is to support local.

Companies that choose local packaging suppliers over those overseas can cut down significantly on the fuel emissions that come along with shipping packages all over the world, which is good news for the environment. And, as a bonus, customers tend to like brands that invest in their local community, so you’d be appealing to both the eco-conscious and those who strive to support local.

If you look around at some of the top food businesses in the industry, you will almost undoubtedly recognize two things: their branding and their packaging. For example, you could probably pick out a Heinz ketchup bottle from a mile away or describe what a Kraft macaroni and cheese box looks like from memory.

The reason why you know these products so well is that these companies know how important branding and packaging is to their success. How does that work, though? Why is branding and packaging so important in the food business?

Well, it’s due to a few different reasons. Let’s explore these further below.

Good Brand Packaging is Recognizable

As previously stated, you can easily pick out or picture just about all the most successful brands and their packaging out there. This is important, as it allows these companies to stand out from similar brands and products in the notoriously competitive food industry. 

Think of it this way: when people are rushing to get through the grocery store, they’re likely only going to be scanning the items as they make their way down their list. If they typically prefer your product but can’t find it on the shelf, they may move on to one of your competitors to save time, as some people don’t really notice the difference between similar food products anyway. If you take two different soup products made by two different companies out of their packaging (cans, in this case), for example, would you necessarily know which is which just by looking at the product?

When food products can be so similar, good brand packaging may be all you have to stand out from the competition, so make sure yours is recognizable.

Good Brand Packaging is Consistent

Once your brand’s packaging becomes familiar to consumers, it’s important to ensure that you keep it consistent across all your products. If someone becomes a big fan of one of your items, for example, they may be more willing to try other offerings from your company. Good, recognizable brand packaging will make finding your products a lot easier for them, as they will know exactly what to look for when scanning the shelves.

Good Brand Packaging Keeps the Environment in Mind

These days, consumers are arguably more environmentally conscious than they have ever been in the past, and for good reason. Climate change and how individuals and organizations are contributing to it is an ever-growing concern, and the younger generations especially are looking for businesses to take more responsibility for their part. Therefore, investing in sustainable brand packaging should be a priority for all companies, not just those in the food industry.

Good Brand Packaging Reduces Future Marketing Costs

If you take all the above into consideration, you should be able to create brand packaging that keeps consumers buying your products for years, thereby reducing your future marketing costs. Once you really get your brand and its products off the ground, you don’t need to spend huge amounts of money telling people about them – if you have good brand packaging, they’ll already know.

So, you’ve put all this time and energy into manufacturing quality food products and are ready to start selling them in stores. Congratulations! It’s an exciting next step, but it’s also a big one. You’re going to have to figure out which stores may be willing to carry your product, how much you’re willing to sell it for, and how you’re going to market it to customers, all while keeping up the manufacturing process to make sure you can fulfill any orders.

Unless you already have connections with certain stores and people, this marketing and selling of your product can be a lot of work on top of the manufacturing process. Therefore, a lot of food manufacturing companies, big and small, hire some outside help when it comes to getting their products into stores: a food broker.

What is a Food Broker?

Essentially, a food broker uses their network and relationships with buyers to help you market and sell your food products in all kinds of food stores, from co-ops to chain wholesalers to retail stores. They’ll work hard to get you the best marketing and price for your products, as they often charge a commission based on how much your product sells at the stores.

Why Do You Need a Food Broker?

Though some food stores allow food manufacturers to submit their products for consideration themselves, there is often a lot of competition, making it difficult for them to really stand out in a crowd. The previous relationships that many food brokers have with these stores are extremely valuable here, as they will know who to talk to and what to say to help your company get its foot in the door.

While this is probably one of the most important reasons why you need a food broker, there are also some other benefits.

They Know the Market

When you’re first starting out, you’re probably happy to get your products in any kind of store, but this may not always work out in your favour. For example, if you have a brand-new product with no name recognition and get into a big food store too soon, it may get lost among the other more well-known brands, leading to poor sales and a waste of time and money.

Once they get to know your product, a food broker can help make sure your food gets into the right stores at the right times. This may mean selling things in a specialty shop that doesn’t carry a lot of the major brands until you have enough of a following to attempt a move into more conventional stores.

They Know How to Promote Your Product

After you’ve found the right market, you still need to promote it to customers. Food brokers work with you and the store to increase customer knowledge about your product and try to get it into their hands. One way of doing this is through organizing special promotions like sales. You do typically need to have some extra marketing money to pull something like this off, and a food broker can help you understand those costs and how they’ll work down the line.

As always we are here to help! Contact us today with all your food questions!

Are you trying to make healthier choices when it comes to the food you eat? If so, you should be carefully reading the ingredient lists before filling up your cart with so-called “healthy” foods. A lot of people think that they know a healthy food when they see it, but unless it’s something like a whole piece of fruit or vegetable, this, unfortunately, isn’t always the case.

Luckily, don’t have to be a nutritionist to get something out of an ingredient list – you just need to do it! If you need more convincing as to why you should be more closely examining your food choices, keep reading for some of the most important reasons why consumers should be reading ingredient lists.

The Front of the Box Can Be Misleading

The front of a box, can, or package of food may give you a general idea of what’s inside, but it really doesn’t tell you any specifics. For example, a container of yogurt may claim to be “high in protein”, which sounds good, but what else does it contain? 

You may be surprised by the amount of added sugar, sodium, and other preservatives and additives that may make up some of your favorite “healthy” foods. Because of this, it’s best to think of the label as more of a marketing advertisement than an honest representation of the food inside.

The Nutrition Facts Aren’t That Helpful

Do you know that little panel on a food’s packaging that includes information such as carbohydrate and protein content, and any included vitamins and minerals? These nutritional facts do give you some idea of whether you’re getting any kind of health benefits from your food, but they certainly don’t provide the whole picture.

The real question is, what is the source of these nutrients? If something is touted as high in protein, for example, it’s important to still look for the source of the protein. There are plenty of ingredients out there that are high in protein but are otherwise bad for your health, so it’s important to be mindful of the difference between healthy and unhealthy sources.

It’s Not the Responsibility of Food Manufacturers to Keep You Healthy

Keep in mind that the number one priority of most food manufacturers is to sell food, not to keep you healthy. A lot of people are becoming more health-conscious these days, and manufacturers are responding by doing whatever they can to make their products seem healthier. 

The keyword there is seem. They will find the one potentially healthy nutrient in their food and run with it, downplaying, or outright ignoring, any of the unhealthy ingredients that may make up the bulk of their product. It may seem sneaky, but ultimately, it’s not their responsibility to ensure people are making healthy choices.

That is why it’s so important to look at ingredient lists and take an active role in your own health. The information is there – you just need to read it!

The term “eco-friendly packaging” may have been a buzzword in time past. But all that has changed, as both brands and consumers continue to prioritize sustainable packaging more than ever. 

More brands are keying into packaging designs that reduce environmental footprint over time. Sustainable packaging is gradually moving from an option to a necessity and brands that must remain relevant going forward need to toe this path. 

Here’s a quick look into sustainable packing design and what it means for your business. 

Definition of Sustainable Packaging Design 

Sustainable packaging design refers to creating product packaging that does little to no damage to the environment. 

As you can imagine, this is not a small feat to achieve and may take several small steps for brands to make their product packaging entirely eco-friendly.

A giant leap may not be feasible, but you adopt a few different approaches, including:

• Significantly reducing the carbon footprint during the production process
• Using 100% raw or recycled eco-friendly materials for packaging
• Promoting reusability by creating product packaging with extended lifecycle and usability. 

The most important thing to keep in mind is to find a way to create the least negative impact on the environment without affecting your business.

What Makes a Packaging Design Sustainable?

A “bio” product packaging doesn’t necessarily mean a sustainable design. To be considered truly sustainable, your packaging design needs to fulfill the following requirements:

• Safe: The packaging design does not pose any health or environmental risks.
• Efficient: It should use and make the most of green packaging materials.
• Effective: It should provide value for both the consumer and brand. The packaging should also support responsible decision-making.
• Cyclic: The packaging design must include eco-friendly materials, inks, and technologies.

Why Sustainable Packaging Is Good For Your Business

Implementing sustainable packaging may seem like a lot of hassle just to get your product across to consumers. 

But cutting corners will end up hurting your business, as more consumers are catching on to the damages that non-eco-friendly packaging brings to our green planet. 

While consumers will not stop buying, a large percentage of buyers are tilting toward companies that provide products and packaging that help keep our planet healthy.

Having sustainable packaging can do the following for your business:

• Improve how customers perceive your brand.
• Reduce the carbon footprint of your business.
• Potentially reduce the cost of packaging by minimizing unnecessary use of materials and limiting excessive waste.
• Improve customer satisfaction.
• Increased sales, especially among consumers who are sustainability-minded.

By following the “reduce, reuse, and recycle” motto, you will have more happy customers, a better bottom line, and a safer planet. It is, indeed, a win-win situation for all.

The Greater Goods Can Help

Implementing sustainable packing designs requires knowledge and experience. The Greater Goods has both qualities and can help you figure out the best ways to make your packaging eco-friendly while maintaining your brand image. 

Book a free consultation today, let’s work out something that will reduce the environmental footprint of your business.

A co-packing agreement is closely related to private label food manufacturing, but the two are distinctly different services. 

Understanding the difference between these two is important because that will give you a clear picture of your options and rights to the propriety formula for the food products you own. 

Co-Packing

The customer has all the rights to a proprietary formulation under a co-packing agreement. Although the manufacturer creates the product, co-packing usually requires the manufacturer to sign a non-disclosure agreement that does two things:

1. Prevents the manufacturer from sharing the information relating to the customer’s product.
2. Prevents the manufacturer from creating additional products outside the agreement.

Private Labeling

The private label agreement allows the food manufacturer to use its formulation in creating and packaging the product under the customer’s label. In other words, the propriety rights belong to the manufacturer.

A simpler way to understand the difference between co-packing vs. private labeling is to think of it this way:

• Co-packing = your product with your label
• Private label = a manufacturer’s product with your label

Which Ownership Option Is Best For Your Business?

In a nutshell, co-packing is best suitable for:

• Food and beverage owners looking to bring a new product to the market
• Restaurants that have a special sauce
• Individual chefs who own special and popular recipe

On the other hand, private labeling works great for:

• Large retailers
• Small food businesses that want their names on their products
• Customers who want custom branding on items they gift to others

Having listed the above, it is crucial to consider the following factors when trying to decide on co-packing vs. private labeling:

• Responsibility: Is your company or business prepared to deal with all the hassles of navigating propriety laws? If you would rather skip this burden, a co-packing agreement is your best bet.
• Cost: A co-packing arrangement might be less expensive than a private label, depending on the contract negotiated. 
• Marketing: If you prefer a private label agreement, it is usually a thing if the manufacturer agrees to exclusive production. But regardless of whether you choose co-packing or private label, your marketing efforts can receive a huge boost with exclusivity.
• Logistics: Not all manufacturers have the same capability and capacity, and this is something to keep in mind when considering a co-packing arrangement. Securing a good co-packing arrangement is great but it can be challenging in many cases to find a manufacturer that checks everything you want.

What The Greater Goods Can Do For Your Business

The Greater Goods offers a ton of flexibility that business owners can explore. You can take advantage of what we offer while enjoying the benefits of a first-rate food consulting firm. 

It is crucial to read and understand the fine print before you sign an agreement with a manufacturer. As an experienced food consulting firm, we can also help you in this regard.

Book a free consultation today and learn more about the nitty-gritty of co-packing vs. private labeling. 

With the wants and needs of the domestic and global marketplaces constantly evolving, the future of food co-packing is looking as bright as ever. From making the switch to sustainable, eco-conscious packaging, to a new level of adaptability and speed, it’s important that we know what’s coming when it comes to this rapidly growing industry. In this article, we take a look at the future of food co-packing, so you can make sure that you’re choosing a co-packing partner who is ready to embrace these welcome changes.

Sustainable, Eco-Conscious Packaging

Eco-friendly alternatives are not only a trend, but are necessary to the health of our planet. More and more packagers are now opting towards eco-friendly packaging options as a way to not only appeal to customer demand, but to do their part for our planet. 

Globalnewswire.com tells us more about this important switch:

“Raising consumer awareness about environmental concerns, along with the producers’ demand for economical packaging options, is impelling contract packagers to adopt earth-friendly alternatives and eco-sensitive package designs.”

Adaptability and Speed

If we’ve learned anything from the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s that we need to be prepared for anything – and that level of preparedness also stems to our co-packers. Co-packers who want to stay ahead of the game are making sure that they can adapt to the ever-changing requirements of the industry, so they can keep up with the ever-changing requirements of their partners as new situations arise.

Jason Tham, CEO at Nulogy explains more on why adaptability and speed is more important for co-packers than ever on LinkedIn:

“From CPGs responding to frenetic retailer and consumer demands, to co-packers reworking their operations to ensure the safety of their employees, each side of the supply chain needed to react and move faster than ever before. Businesses that could adapt were able to capitalize on the incredible demand for consumer products during the pandemic.”

Packaging That Differentiates Itself

Last but not least, the future of co-packing will focus on packaging that differentiates itself from its competitors. No matter how much love and care has gone into the food product itself, most customers are going to make their decisions based on the first thing they see – the packaging. 

WG Pro-Manufacturing tells us more about why focusing on innovative packaging can put both the co-packer and the customer on the track to success:

“The average consumer devotes over 80% of their attention to your packaging, with only 15% going to the number on the price tag. What does this mean for you? Put simply—having the right packaging really matters. One of the most important things is to set your product apart from those around it on the shelf. Sometimes this will mean making the most of well-established trends. In other cases, seeking new and innovative paths will put you on the road to success.”

Here at The Greater Goods, we offer consultation services for your business, from food production to distribution. If you’re looking for advice on how to get up and running, we offer a free consultation with our expert food industry consultants and food brokers.

It’s been nearly 17 years since subscription boxes started taking off, and odds are, you’ve signed up for one yourself. In particular, food subscription boxes have made a huge splash in this market and makeup nearly a quarter of all subscription boxes. While this does make the food subscription market more competitive, it also makes for an incredibly lucrative opportunity for those already involved in or looking to become a part of the food industry. In this article, we take a look at how to start a food subscription service, so you can make your product stand out above the rest.

Consider What You Can Afford

Now that you’ve decided to start a food subscription service, it’s important to take into consideration what you can afford. You may wonder how other businesses are able to offer their products at such affordable prices, while still turning a profit themselves. It’s important to stay realistic with what you can offer now, while still making money yourself. 

Pod Foods tells us more about why it’s important to stick within a budget when considering starting a food subscription service:

“Subscription boxes aren’t for every business. Some boxes contain sample-size packs of products, but others include full-sized products, which means an upfront investment either way. But if it is within your budget, subscription boxes can be a great way to convert users into buyers.”

Pick a Theme

While it may seem like narrowing down your food subscription service to a particular theme is excluding potential new clients, it is actually helping your business to stand out above the rest. With the amount of food subscription boxes already in circulation, it’s important to be as unique as possible, while still serving an established need.

That Clean Life explains why picking a theme and sticking to it could be what makes your food subscription business successful:

“It’s important to set some criteria for your plans so that subscribers will know what they are signing up for and what they can expect the plans to deliver. People can get general meal plans anywhere. So you need to create and offer something unique. Instead of creating generic plans, try to be as specific as possible. Who is this subscription service going to help? Creating specialized meal plans will allow you to charge more and not compete with low-priced, generic meal planning services. The theme should be related to your niche and the most common issue your clients see you for.”

Use Brand Ambassadors

The use of brand ambassadors is a great way to promote your food subscription service and has been one of the most tried and true marketing techniques in recent years. By sharing your box with trusted and well-known personalities within your community, you can potentially reach thousands of new customers who are willing to take their word for it. 

Ad Espresso tells us more about why hiring brand ambassadors is a fantastic marketing move:

“Online shoppers can’t taste the food in your subscription box before they buy it—they can only see it on their screen. To get them to take the leap and purchase some food they’ve never tried before, build their trust with brand ambassadors. Having celebrities or influencers promote your product builds shoppers’ trust in your brand. Potential customers see people they admire enjoying your product, and it makes them want to try your food subscription box for themselves. This is the phenomenon of social proof. If you don’t have connections to any celebrities or influencers yet, you can use Facebook’s Brand Collabs Manager as a starting point.”

Here at The Greater Goods, we offer consultation services for your business, from food production to distribution. If you’re looking for advice on how to get up and running, we offer a free consultation with our expert food industry consultants and food brokers.

Knowing how to brand your food business is your chance to stand out above the rest. With grocery stores constantly being submerged in new product releases and emerging food brands, it can be difficult to tempt a customer enough to give yours a try. Now more than ever before, successful food company brands need to be on top of their game in order to gain traction in the food industry – and we’re here to help. In this article, we discuss how to successfully brand your food business, from how to build brand loyalty to how to reach out to bloggers and influencers, so you can make sure your food biz has the best possible chance at succeeding.

Sometimes Less is More

Let’s talk about creating successful packaging. While you may think that you need to have the most elaborate packaging out there to differentiate yourself from the competition, this isn’t necessarily true. Oftentimes, less is more regarding both the design and the wording you choose to include.

Accion Opportunity Fund tells us more about why sticking to the “less is more” method when it comes to your packaging is often much more effective:

“Successful packaging is not only on-brand, it is also clean, attractive, and succinct. There’s a danger in being overly verbose on your packaging label. There is a fine line between conveying vital product information and visually overwhelming the buyers with busy designs. When it comes to deciding what wording to include on your food product packaging, Whole Foods recommends the adage “less is more.” If the words are not of value to your product or brand, then they shouldn’t be included on the food product label. Keep it simple!”

Build Brand Loyalty By Highlighting Benefits

Clearly establishing your brand’s benefits on your packaging and in your marketing material is incredibly important in setting your food brand apart. What are the social, emotional, and functional benefits that come from purchasing your product?

Forbes.com explains more on what it means to highlight the social benefits of your food brand:

“This is the stature of the customer in the eyes of his or her social circle. Essentially, what does it say about their lifestyle by consuming the brand? Is your product sustainable and eco-friendly? Is it a certified B corporation? Are you empowering women entrepreneurs? Consumers are increasingly looking for brands that align with their own values and social interests.”

Reach Out to Bloggers and Influencers

Reaching out to bloggers and influencers is an invaluable way to increase your food business’s awareness. Don’t have a large marketing budget to spend on this type of promotion? Over one-third of companies provide free product in exchange for influencer services.

Entrepreneurial Chef tells us why influencer marketing is highly valuable in promoting any new product:

“Social media is your friend because food makes for great content. Brands should be active with social media to stay relevant and engaged with the public, which will help shape their target market. Also, be sure to include your brand’s hashtag, so your customers can share their experiences with each other. By doing this, you will capture new customers. Another strategy is to build relationships with businesses in your area because their employees will spread their word amongst their peers.”

Here at The Greater Goods, we offer consultation services for your business, from food production to distribution. If you’re looking for advice on how to get up and running, we offer a free consultation with our expert food industry consultants and food brokers.

Plant-based diet, vegan diet, vegetarian diet – what’s the difference? While plant-based and vegan diets, in particular, have become extremely well known for their health benefits in recent years, we may have chalked them up to being the same diet, with the exact same meaning. However, plant-based and vegan diets have some key differences. In this article, we dive into what classifies a product as plant-based vs. vegan, so we can make sure we’re all on the same page.

What is a Vegan Diet?

There are several reasons why one might decide to follow a vegan diet, with many choosing to adopt this type of lifestyle for ethical reasons. It’s important to note that a vegan diet doesn’t necessarily mean a healthy diet, but does focus on eliminating all products that come from animals, as well, of course, as the animals themselves.

Piedmont Healthcare tells us more about what constitutes a purely vegan diet:

“With a vegan diet, you eliminate all animal products, including dairy, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and honey,” says Christine Kirlew, M.D., an internal medicine physician at Piedmont. Some people choose to follow a vegan diet for ethical, environmental or health reasons.”

What is a Plant-Based Diet?

So, if a vegan diet constitutes eliminating all animal products from your diet, what on earth is a plant-based diet? Although there is not a large difference between the two diets, a plant-based diet does not necessarily limit animal products altogether.

Forks Over Knives explains the nuances of a plant-based diet:

“With a plant-based diet, the vast majority of food comes from plants. The term originated in the health science community, where it was more appropriate than “vegetarian” or “vegan.” First, the term is divorced from any ethical connotation; and second, it doesn’t mean “never eating meat” or “never eating animal products.” Consumption of very small amounts of animal foods can be inconsequential when speaking of the health benefits of a diet, an important nuance for science that is not captured by the term “vegan” or “vegetarian.”

Can You Be Both Plant-Based and Vegan?

So, is it possible to be both plant-based and vegan? While these are technically two different types of diets, it is certainly possible to transition from one to the other or to consider yourself both at the same time. How? While you may enjoy a plant-based diet, you may also consider yourself vegan because you use only vegan health and skincare products.

Healthline breaks down how it’s possible to consider yourself both plant-based and vegan:

“It’s possible to be both plant-based and vegan, as these terms are not meant to divide people based on the lifestyle they choose. Many people may start out as vegan, avoiding animal products in their diet primarily for ethical or environmental reasons, but then adopt a whole foods, plant-based diet to achieve their health goals. On the other hand, some people may start out eating a whole foods, plant-based diet and then decide to expand into veganism by aligning the rest of their lifestyle, avoiding animal products in other non-food areas as well.”

Here at The Greater Goods, we offer consultation services for your business, from food production to distribution. If you’re looking for advice on how to get up and running, we offer a free consultation with our expert food industry consultants and food brokers.

Starting a food business from home has the potential to be the perfect solution for some. No extra costs to rent a space outside of your home plus the ability to work from home can seem like a dream come true to someone just entering the food business. And while starting a food business from home can be a smart decision for some, there are many factors that go into selling food that you’ve prepared inside your own residence. In this article, we take at what you need to consider when starting a food business from home. 

Learn the Regulations and Requirements For Your State and County

You will still be required to learn the regulations and requirements for your state and county when preparing and selling food for others to consume. There are specific regulations set in place for manufacturing food in a private residence, just as there are specific regulations for those operating in a commercial facility.

FDA.gov explains more on the laws surrounding manufacturing, processing, and packing food inside your home:

“A private residence must meet customary expectations for a private home and does not otherwise include commercial facilities in which a person also happens to reside. Thus, a private residence (domestic or foreign) that meets customary expectations for a private residence that is also used to manufacture, process, pack, or hold food need not be registered. Be sure to carefully review the regulations to understand how they apply to your unique set of circumstances.”

Conduct Market Research

Now that you know you are able to meet the regulations held by the FDA, it’s important to conduct as much market research as you can on the product you would like to sell. Whether working from home or renting out a manufacturing facility, you need to have confidence that there is a demand for your product. You can make the best pasta sauce in the world, but if there’s no demand for your product and no cleverly researched angle on how to sell it, your product will quickly fail.

The Small Business Chron tells us about the importance of extensive market research when it comes to the food industry:

“It is very important that you do your research before starting your at home food business as the food industry is very competitive. Go to business networking events such as those run by the Small Business Development Centers, SCORE, and your local Chambers of Commerce. This gives you a great opportunity to pick the brains of local business people in the food industry and see what works and what doesn’t. Clippy McKenna, founder of Clippy’s, a maker of food condiments, says that if you can’t perform more comprehensive market research, use your friends and the people you know to test your food recipes on. Every bit of feedback you can get is helpful.”

Hire Professionals When Needed

When it comes to the point where you’re selling more product than you can make without pulling your hair out, it’s time to consider bringing in professionals. This may be when you start to consider co-packers, or renting out a facility and hiring some of your very own employees.

American Express explains why hiring professionals may be the right move for your business:

“While you may have designed a website for your homeowners association or taken a class in college on accounting, carefully consider hiring professionals for tasks that are outside of your realm of expertise. Although you could do these tasks, your time can often be better spent growing the business, and the result is usually of higher quality by bringing in professionals.”

Here at The Greater Goods, we offer consultation services for your business, from food production to distribution. If you’re looking for advice on how to get up and running, we offer a free consultation with our expert food industry consultants and food brokers.