5 Effective Food Marketing Strategies

Marketing your food products can be challenging, especially if you’re planning on selling in grocery stores. Therefore, understanding how to effectively and strategically promote your product is key to helping it become successful. In this blog post, we’ll show you 5 effective food marketing strategies to help get more eyes on your product.

1) Packaging Design

In food marketing, well-designed packaging is crucial to stand out and attract potential customers. A visually appealing packaging design is not just about making your food product look good but also about conveying your brand message to your target audience. 

Aside from aesthetics, an effective packaging design must also be able to connect with potential customers emotionally. Using the right colors, fonts, and images that align with your brand’s personality and target audience can help achieve this connection.

2) Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing has emerged as a valuable tool in promoting food products. The technique involves identifying influencers in your niche with a significant following and engaging with their audience to showcase your products. By collaborating with these influencers to create content that features your food products, you can reach a larger base of potential customers.

The beauty of influencer marketing lies in its ability to leverage the trust and credibility that influencers have built with their followers over time. By partnering with them, you can tap into their influence and reap the benefits of their brand endorsement.

3) In-Store Promotions

In-store promotions are one of the most effective food marketing strategies for those selling food products. Whether you’re promoting a new product or trying to increase sales of an existing one, product demonstrations, samplings, and coupons are great ways to catch customers’ attention and encourage them to try something new.

By introducing your products creatively and engagingly, you can leave a lasting impression on potential customers and build brand loyalty. This can help increase sales, and also offers a unique opportunity to interact with your customers and receive valuable feedback.

4) Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing can be a powerful tool for food marketers looking to boost their brand presence and increase sales. Through platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, you can showcase high-quality images of your products and engage with potential customers directly. 

Crafting engaging content and running targeted ads can help you reach your ideal audience, building interest and trust in your offerings. By leveraging the power of social media, you can effectively expand your marketing reach and build a loyal customer base for your food products.

5) Product Placement

Finally, product placement can be a crucial marketing strategy for food products sold in stores. By working with retailers, you can ensure your products are strategically placed in high-traffic areas. Places like end caps and checkout displays can help increase their visibility to potential customers.

Moreover, cross-promoting with other brands can help expand your reach and expose your products to a wider audience. These simple tactics can help increase sales and revenue for your business.

Conclusion

Effective food marketing strategies are essential for any business trying to succeed in this competitive market. So, give one (or all) of them a try – it may be just what you need to take your business to the next level!

Need a hand getting your food product off the ground? We’d be happy to help! Click here to get in touch with the greater goods, and book a free consultation with us today.

“How Do You Source Ingredients for a Food Product?”

Are you a food entrepreneur looking to bring your product to the market? Whether you are creating baked goods, snacks, condiments or something else entirely, one of the most important pieces of launching a successful business is knowing where to source ingredients for a food product. 

Purchasing quality ingredients will help ensure that your food item meets the highest taste and safety standards. In this blog post, we’ll discuss tips for finding top-tier supplies – so let’s get started!

Research the Local Market for Food Producers and Suppliers

When attempting to source ingredients for your food product, it’s important to consider the local market. Not only can this provide a fresh and unique flavor profile for your product, but it also helps support small businesses in your community. 

Researching the local market for food producers and suppliers is a key step in finding high-quality ingredients to make your food stand out. Look for farmers’ markets, co-ops, and independent retailers specializing in locally sourced products.

Identify Potential Sources of Ingredients

It requires diligent research and networking to find suppliers consistently providing high-quality ingredients. Some potential sources of ingredients to consider local farmers, specialty food distributors, and international suppliers. 

Establishing strong relationships with your suppliers is important to ensure they understand your quality standards and can deliver on your expectations. Additionally, checking for certifications like organic or fair trade can ensure you’re sourcing ethically and sustainably.

Compare Prices from Different Suppliers

Comparing prices from different suppliers is essential to ensure you get the best deal possible. Not only will this save you money, but it can also improve your profit margins in the long run. 

However, cost should be one of many factors to consider. Other crucial aspects to consider are the ingredients’ quality, the supplier’s reliability, and whether they can meet your quantity demands. Balancing cost-efficiency with quality and reliability is the key to successful ingredient sourcing for any food product.

Check for any Certifications and Traceability Requirements

It’s essential to check for certifications and traceability requirements. Not only does this ensure that the ingredients meet necessary safety standards, but it also shows a commitment to transparency and quality. 

Certifications can include organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, and fair trade. And traceability requirements refer to the ability to trace each ingredient’s origin back to the source. Identifying any potential contaminants or allergens and maintaining accountability throughout the supply chain is important.

Consider Buying in Bulk or Signing Up for a Subscription Service to Save Money

If you’re looking for potential money-saving opportunities, consider buying in bulk or signing up for a subscription service. You can often negotiate a better price and reduce packaging waste by purchasing ingredients in bulk. 

Plus, subscription services can offer the convenience of regular deliveries while also providing cost savings. Furthermore, by having a consistent supply of ingredients, you can streamline production and reduce downtime.

Conclusion

Taking the time to source ingredients for a food product doesn’t have to be overwhelming or hard. Always consider both cost and quality in assisting you to make a decision, but also be mindful of allergen and sanitation regulations as they vary by region. The success of your food business depends on proper sourcing, so take this process seriously from the start.

Need a hand getting your food business off the ground? We’d be happy to help! Click here to get in touch with the greater goods, and book a free consultation with us today.

“How to Make Canadian Nutrition Facts Labels”

Are you looking to make Canadian Nutrition Facts labels for your products? Whether manufacturing food products professionally or starting as an amateur home chef, having the correct nutrition facts and information printed on the packaging will give your customers greater insight into what they eat. 

This blog post will give you some advice on making sure that your label meets Health Canada’s requirements so they can ensure that their products are safe and healthy!

Understand the Regulations for Nutrition Facts Labels in Canada

The first thing you need to do is ensure that you thoroughly understand the regulations. The Canadian government has established specific requirements for the presentation and content of these labels, ensuring that the nutritional information is accurate and easily accessible. 

By familiarizing oneself with these regulations, it is possible to create Canadian Nutrition Facts labels that adhere to the necessary standards and provide vital details on the constituents of various food items. 

Identify the Required Components

Specific components must be detailed on the label, including serving size, which should be listed in a common household measurement and accompanied by the metric equivalent, calories, and the daily percentage value, which aids consumers in understanding the nutritional significance. 

It is also necessary to emphasize the number of core nutrients such as fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, and proteins while presenting the information in grams and daily percentage values. 

Calculate the Nutritional Values

This process demands thorough research, professional knowledge, and accurate measuring to accurately represent the foods’ benefits and impacts on consumer health. Determining the nutritional components, such as vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, in each ingredient can ensure the compilation of a credible Nutrition Facts label. 

Moreover, portion size consideration is paramount, as it promotes responsible consumption, facilitating healthier eating habits and better-informed dietary choices for consumers.

Gather All Necessary Information 

Creating accurate and compliant Canadian Nutrition Facts labels is essential for any food manufacturer seeking to market their products in Canada. Gathering all the necessary information before beginning the label design is crucial. It should include the company name, contact information, and other details that will be required on the label. 

In addition, it’s important to consult with an expert in the field or use professional label design software to ensure that the final label meets all regulatory requirements.

Design a Template

With such a template, businesses and consumers benefit from the clarity and uniformity of the information presented on food products. Not only does it help keep manufacturers compliant with Canadian laws, but it also aids in empowering consumers to make informed choices about the food they purchase.

A comprehensive template should include essential information, such as serving sizes, calorie content, and the nutrient breakdown of individual components, all presented in a standardized and readable format. Additionally, the template must adhere to Canada’s stringent bilingual requirements, ensuring that vital nutrition data is accessible to diverse communities nationwide. 

Print and Affix the Labels on Food Packages

By accurately displaying a product’s nutritional content, manufacturers not only comply with government regulations but also demonstrate transparency and accountability to their customers. These labels help individuals make more informed food choices based on their dietary needs and preferences, ultimately promoting a healthier lifestyle. 

Furthermore, professionally designed and easily readable labels can enhance a product’s overall appeal, expanding its market reach.

Conclusion

From correctly adding the food categories to ensuring that all the information is accurate and up-to-date, it can certainly be challenging to make Canadian Nutrition Facts labels. But by following these steps, you can make one without too much hassle. It may not seem easy initially, but with time and practice, you can make great labels for any food product!

Need a hand getting your food product off the ground? We’d be happy to help! Click here to get in touch with the greater goods, and book a complimentary consultation with us today.

“How to Write a Food Product Description That Sells”

Product descriptions can greatly impact customer purchasing decisions, so they must be compelling and informative. Writing an effective product description can be challenging, so a few tips and tricks can save the day. In this blog post, we’ll give you a few tips on how you can write a food product description that sells!

Know Your Audience and What They are Looking

Your description should resonate with potential buyers by emphasizing the most crucial aspects of the product they seek: taste, health benefits, or convenience. For instance, If your audience consists mainly of health-conscious individuals, emphasize organic ingredients or nutritional value. 

At the same time, focusing on mouth-watering flavors might be more effective for gourmet food enthusiasts. You provide a rich, detailed account of your product’s unique qualities while keeping the consumers’ expectations in mind.

Start With an Engaging Headline

To create a delightful symphony of words that entices the palate, it is essential for food entrepreneurs, marketers, and content creators to carefully select the right ingredients: professional tone, vivid language, and a spoonful of sensory appeal. 

When it comes to elevating your food product storytelling, feel free to embrace the power of sensory language and evocative adjectives that conjure up images of freshness, divine taste, and texture. Aim to tap into the emotions of your target audience by creating a sense of nostalgia or inducing cravings.

Make Sure to Include Any Unique Selling Points 

Crafting a food product description that captivates potential customers and drives sales involves highlighting the item’s unique selling points and benefits. Be sure to emphasize the delectable taste, quality ingredients, and care that goes into creating each recipe. 

Remember to mention any health-conscious features or ethical considerations, such as being gluten-free, vegan, or sustainably sourced, which will appeal to a particular audience.

Include Images to Illustrate the Product Description

A well-selected visual alongside your description can capture the essence of your product and create an irresistible temptation for potential customers. By showcasing the delectable aesthetics of your food item, you’re highlighting its mouth-watering appeal, ultimately drawing in consumers with ease. 

As our brains process visuals more quickly than text, these images help paint a compelling picture of the culinary delights that await those who choose to indulge.

Highlight Ingredients and Allergens

As a responsible seller, it’s imperative to be transparent about possible allergens to ensure the safety and satisfaction of your patrons. Be sure to mention common allergens like nuts or dairy and any specialized dietary variations you offer, such as gluten-free or vegan options.

Conclusion

In conclusion, writing a food product description that sells is all about understanding the customer, knowing what will appeal to them, and actively describing your product in a way that captivates their attention. Examples of helpful techniques include:

  • Emphasizing the most desirable qualities of your product.
  • Playing up the emotion of the eating experience.
  • Using persuasive language like sensory-sensitive words.

With these tips, you can create descriptions that help move more units off the shelves!

Need a hand getting your food business off the ground? We’d be happy to help! Click here to get in touch with the greater goods, and book a complimentary consultation with us today.

“How to Be a Food Entrepreneur”

Are you looking to create your own food business? Whatever your aspirations may be, launching a new food product can be an incredibly rewarding experience if done correctly. In this blog post, we’ll give you some tips on how to be a food entrepreneur so you can jumpstart your dreams with success! 

Food and Culinary Proficiency

It is important to have some basic knowledge of food and culinary proficiency to develop recipes your customers will love. Knowing how different ingredients work together and understanding how temperature affects flavor is essential. Understanding the ingredients’ sources and estimating cost and serving amounts for large orders can also be beneficial for aspiring food entrepreneurs. These skills can distinguish between success and failure in an increasingly competitive market.

Business Management

It is important to understand fundamental business management principles such as finance, marketing, and strategy. Learning these principles will help you stay on track and make the best decisions for your business.

Additionally, understanding the legal system regarding food production is key. You should become familiar with applicable regulations, permits, and insurance requirements for your product or services if you want to see success.

Financial and Budgeting Knowledge

While creative cooking and perfecting flavors are paramount to success, understanding finances are just as important. Learning how to research the cost of ingredients and pricing products accurately are part of managing a food-based business.

Even more challenging is setting aside money for future growth and handling unexpected expenses that may arise. To successfully set up a shop in the food industry, entrepreneurs must invest in their financial literacy to make informed decisions that will benefit their businesses.

Leadership Skills

Aspiring food entrepreneurs must understand the value of good leadership. They must be comfortable delegating responsibilities and tasks, outlining short and long-term goals, setting clear expectations for employee performance, computing positive production metrics, and encouraging everyone involved toward success. 

With flourishing leadership strategies, a business can thrive while developing other essential skills, such as problem-solving capacity, to create an atmosphere of progress.

Problem-Solving Skills

With marketing, finance, and customer service essential to success, entrepreneurs must be creative and adept at finding solutions that keep the bank intact. This means that not only do food entrepreneurs have to think about sourcing the highest quality ingredients and inventory management, but they also need the customer experience to rank high on their priority list. 

It’s important to remain flexible and open-minded when tackling such a wide range of issues, so effective problem-solving skills are key.

Conclusion

Running a successful food-based business requires entrepreneurs to have various skills and knowledge. From food and culinary proficiency and financial literacy to effective leadership and problem-solving skills, a food entrepreneur needs to have a variety of abilities if they want to see success. 

By developing and honing these skills, aspiring food entrepreneurs can ensure their business makes a lasting impression. With the right combination of knowledge and know-how, anyone can succeed in their food-related venture!

Need a hand getting your food product off the ground? We’d be happy to help! Click here to get in touch with the greater goods, and book a complimentary consultation with us today.

“Inexpensive Food Packaging Ideas for Startups”

Are you a small business owner looking for inexpensive ways to package your food products? Finding cost-effective packaging solutions that meet your needs is challenging, especially on tight budgets. Fortunately, some creative and innovative options are available if you know where to look. In this post, we’ll give you some inexpensive food packaging ideas for startups.

Screen Printing Packaging

Screen printing is an affordable, efficient way to create low-cost food packaging for startups. Its simple and direct design enhances visibility while reducing waste costs, helping keep product costs down. Companies can give their products a custom look without spending too much by creating their unique designs or sourcing a simple image to print on the material. 

Plus, thanks to its versatility, screen printing is well-suited for various packages, such as paper bags, plastic containers, and more.

Poly Pouch With Sticker

One inexpensive option is the poly pouch with a sticker. This type of packaging is great for dry products that do not need to be refrigerated. The stickers can be customized with your company logo and brand colors. 

Poly pouches are also lightweight and easy to ship, making them a cost-effective option for small businesses.

Opt For Eco-Friendly Labeling

These labels look sleek and professional. They’re also better for the environment! You can choose from compostable papers, plant-based plastics, and even materials made with leftover potato skins. 

These affordable options can be printed in bulk with logo designs and relevant information about your company. Not to mention, you’ll be helping the earth and making sure your customers stay informed when they purchase your products.

Corrugated Boxes With Sticker

These are lightweight and waterproof, and you can also add a waterproof sticker of your company logo or brand name to create a special touch. These customizable stickers will help customers quickly identify your product in the market. 

Furthermore, going for corrugated boxes with stickers allows you to keep a steady pace of production as they can be manufactured quickly and efficiently according to order sizes. 

Box With Die Cut

Die cutting uses sharp tools to precisely cut into materials like cardboard and foam board, allowing businesses to create intricate and unique shapes from their packaging products. This method allows startups to package food easily and cost-effectively while simultaneously drawing customers in with creative visuals. 

Box with die cut packaging allows startups to stand apart from competitors without burning a hole in their pocket!

Shop for Recycled Materials

Recycled materials are eco-friendly and convey to customers that your company cares about sustainable practices. Recycled material packaging can come in many forms, including glass jars and bottles, plastic boxes, cartons, and more – with all these items readily available at most major retailers. 

Plus, using recycled products means using fewer resources from our natural environments, such as paper, water, and oil – allowing us to preserve our planet’s resources for future generations.

Custom Stamp

Startups have a lot of expenses to manage, and keeping food packaging and labeling costs down is key. Investing in a custom stamp is an easy, inexpensive way to make your labels quickly without worrying about ordering custom prints each time. 

A custom stamp provides the same professional quality look as customized artwork but at a fraction of the price. Plus, once you’ve spent the money on one, you can use it for many years.

Conclusion

There are a variety of inexpensive food packaging ideas for startups. No matter your needs, there’s sure to be a cost-effective packaging solution that fits the bill. Good luck!

Need a hand keeping costs down at your food business? We’d be happy to help! Click here to get in touch with the greater goods, and book a complimentary consultation today.

“Our Commercial Kitchen”

Test your products with real consumers

Testing new food products with consumers who aren’t friends & family is an important step in knowing that you’ve got a real winner. But there are regulations around providing food samples to the public—and hiring a company that specializes in sampling can be an expensive proposition. 

The sampling you need

The greater goods can help with sampling! We now have a commercial kitchen where we can prepare food in accordance with food safety guidelines. This provides a shortcut to sampling with focus groups as well as in-store sampling, for example at our local Collingwood, Ontario Loblaws. 

Recipe testing 

Our commercial kitchen also enables us to prepare recipes for testing. If you haven’t defined your recipe yet, we can help with development, either with our own experienced team or in connection with a professional recipe developer (yes, they exist!).  

Next steps

If recipe and/or focus group testing is high on your agenda, we would love to hear from you. {Reach out to us here}. [LINK https://thegreatergoods.ca/contact-us/ ]

Giving back 

Our commercial kitchen will have another use, as well. The greater goods is developing a community food program! The idea is to order healthy foods in wholesale quantities and distribute them to those in our community who are lacking healthy foods. Stay tuned for more news on that front.

“How to Build a Food Brand”

Are you looking to launch a food business but need help figuring out where to start? Building a successful and sustainable food brand requires hard work, dedication, and an understanding of the necessary steps. This blog post will provide an overview of the key strategies and considerations to help you build a food brand.

Develop a Persona for Your Consumer

A consumer’s persona shows you the kinds of customers they are, their attitudes, behaviors, and motivations. Identifying your customer’s persona will help you curate content that resonates with them and tailor-fit strategies to enhance their experience with your brand. 

Knowing what kind of advice they seek and what they need to know while considering your product will aid in creating relationships with consumers. This can help encourage them to make a purchase and build loyalty in existing customers.

Clarify and Strengthen Your Brand’s Story

A strong brand story should encapsulate the why behind your company, what makes your product unique, and how it solves customer problems. It should be kept simple, so it communicates clearly in all of your marketing materials. Creating a well-defined brand story will help customers build an emotional connection with your product.

Define Your Brand Strategy

A clear and focused approach to establishing your food brand will also ensure that customers can more easily recognize and relate to your business. This can go a long way in allowing you to build relationships with them over time. 

It is important to include tangible elements here. For example, create logos, website design, slogans, and content marketing initiatives tailored specifically for your food industry audience.

Stand Out With Your Logo/Branding

Your logo should reflect your company’s values, message, and culture, as it will be a key visual identifier across all marketing materials. Ensure that the fonts and images used in your logo are distinct, professionally designed, and representative of who you are. Additionally, avoiding common industry designs will help you visually differentiate yourself from competitors.

Identify Your USP

Building a successful food brand takes work. Knowing your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) is the key to successfully distinguishing yourself in today’s crowded food market. 

Your USP will set you apart from other offerings and help customers know why they should choose your food brand over others. A strong USP will create stronger customer relationships, build better brand awareness, and drive more sales.

Engage Your Consumers on Social Media

By engaging with consumers through social media platforms, you can help create a friendly, interactive, and personalized experience while giving them access to information about new products and services you offer. 

By understanding their interests, you can customize content to fit their needs and present attractive deals that make your brand more desirable to them.

Create Your Website

Your website gives you a platform to control how your products and services are presented, who you reach, and how much time and money you invest. With a self-managed website, you can have greater flexibility in designing the perfect site for your food brand. 

You can track crucial metrics such as visitor activity, conversions, and search engine visibility and ultimately unlock more value from engaging customers.

Conclusion

So there you have it, a crash course on how to build a food brand. It’s a challenging process, but if you start with a strong foundation and follow our outlined steps, you’ll be well on your way to success!

Need some more help building your food brand? We’ve got you covered! Click here to get in touch with the greater goods, and book a complimentary consultation today.

“5 Tips to Save Money in Food Manufacturing”

In today’s competitive environment, battling rising input costs and squeezing margins is an ongoing struggle. But it doesn’t have to be that way! With some of the right strategies, you can ensure every penny counts in your budgeting decisions. This blog provides 5 helpful tips to save money in food manufacturing. These can help add value to your operations and increase profit potential so you’ll never have to cut corners when producing quality products.

1) Reduce Waste By Using All Parts of the Food 

An effective way to reduce waste in your food manufacturing facility is by utilizing all parts of the food available. For example, making stock from chicken bones ensures that you get the most out of each product and helps minimize costs and waste. It also reduces the cost of purchasing ingredient replacements, not to mention maximizing the flavor, moisture, and nutritional content of your recipes.

This may not work for every type of food product, but you can always see if something like this is possible for yours. If you have a lot of waste, you may as well try to find something to do with it!

2) Invest in Energy Efficient Appliances and Equipment

They use minimal energy, which results in lower utility bills, but they also tend to be more reliable than traditional models and break down less frequently. This means fewer costly downtime situations and increased productivity over time. 

Additionally, some governments provide financial incentives for food manufacturers who switch to energy-efficient appliances due to their positive environmental impact, such as reducing tax rates when these initiatives are implemented.

3) Optimize Production Processes to Reduce Time and Labor Costs

Through smarter scheduling with fewer shifts, the utilization of automation and robotics, or advances in processing machines, companies can decrease person hours while increasing their speed and efficiency. It may be worth doing some research to see what’s possible for your company.

Ultimately, optimizing production processes reduces labor costs and increases output capability and quality control, making it a great cost-saving tip for food manufacturers.

4) Use Sustainable Packaging

This type of eco-friendly packaging is made from recyclable or compostable materials, such as paper, cardboard, and plant-based plastics. Not only does this product reduce your company’s carbon footprint, but it also has the potential to make your brand more attractive to growing numbers of environmentally conscious consumers.

In addition, buying sustainable packaging materials may be less expensive upfront, and they often last longer than traditional alternatives.

5) Train Employees on How to Save Money Without Compromising Quality or Safety

Educating staff can be very important for budget-minded organizations hoping to keep their costs low and efficiency high. One tip, in particular, to help save money in the food manufacturing sector is to streamline processes as much as possible, focusing on reducing waste while maximizing output. 

This could involve implementing technologies designed to increase production and identifying and eliminating any process redundancies or unnecessary elements contributing to higher costs. Try educating your staff on these types of measures, and seeing if they have any thoughts – they may have some insights that you hadn’t thought of before!

Conclusion

Food manufacturing is a process that’s always evolving and searching for new ways to cut costs while still delivering a quality product. That’s why we’ve put together five tips on how your business can save money in food manufacturing. Hopefully one (or more!) of these works out for you. Good luck!

Need more personalized advice? We’d be happy to help! Click here to book a complimentary consultation with the greater goods today.

packed fruits

“Food Packaging Supplies – How to Properly Protect Your Products”

Getting food packaging can often be the most challenging part of finalizing your product. For any food business owner, running a small business has a lot of little steps and details that can often fly under the radar.

It can be easy to put off food packaging until later, but it’s a significant part of the production process.

Custom packaging supplies are essential for keeping your food product in a safe, contained environment but are also an essential part of branding.

The right boxes that match your product’s overall look, your company’s branding logo, and packaging design are all key design elements to making your food product look great on retailers’ shelves.

But when it comes to food packaging supplies, what kinds work best for your business? And how can you ensure total protection of your food products?

We’ll break down what you need to know as a food entrepreneur and the packaging supplies you’ll need to distribute your products.

How Packaging Protects Food

It seems obvious, but the right packaging material protects your food product from outside contaminants.

This may not seem that important if you’re selling food products door-to-door or from your home, but once you expand your business to bigger players, then it becomes imperative that you follow food safety protocol.

Whether you’re preparing takeout or takeaway from a food truck or packing a fresh cookie or two into bakery boxes, how you pack your food item is an essential consideration in the food industry.

The packaging supplies for food should contain the food in an enclosed space and, depending on the food, partially or completely seal the product.

This will ensure no harmful contamination occurs during transit, and food is less likely to spoil. A more controlled environment means you can set food expiry dates and predict how long your product will keep.

The right custom food packaging solution protects your product from moisture, which can happen over time if not properly sealed.

Nearly one-third of all food produced globally is wasted, and an easy step toward food waste prevention is ensuring food can keep on shelves for longer.

Vacuum Packaging

This is the most straightforward and common food packaging method, especially for products that can be easily spoiled. Vacuum packaging involves removing air from a packet of food, ensuring no oxygen in the packaging.

A lack of oxygen means the food gets preserved for much longer than with it since oxygen encourages microorganisms to grow.

Vacuum sealing your food is an excellent method of packaging a product that will spoil easily, as removing the oxygen reduces the risk of spoilage.

Safe vacuum packaging should be done with the proper machinery and trained food staff. If you’re planning on getting your food FDA certified or available to mass retailers, your food products must be vacuum sealed at the proper facilities.

Unfortunately, the downside to this is you cannot vacuum package from home, as there are no cutting costs regarding safety. There are other ways to cut food manufacturing costs, but you can read more on our blog.

Freeze Drying

fruits on table

Freeze drying is an excellent food packaging method, especially for dried fruits. If you’re looking to package your dried fruits or fruit and nut mixes, then freeze-drying is the method for you.

Freeze drying is a method of preserving food and requires food packaging that keeps it sealed and moisture-free. This is usually in a vacuum-sealed plastic food container or resealable bag.

Hermetic Packaging

machine packing food

Hermetic packaging is a common way to package food, and in layperson’s terms means airtight. The food is completely sealed off gas-tight and can keep harmful gas and moisture from entering the sealed package.

This package typically requires plastic packaging to ensure it has a tight seal. The package can also keep liquids from escaping, so it can be a good option for any liquid goods you’re planning to manufacture.

Aseptic Packaging

Another packaging option is aseptic packaging. This refers to the process of sterilizing food packaging supplies and any surface the food will come into contact with. Sterilization occurs through chemical, thermal, or radiation methods.

The food is packaged in a completely sterile environment and is the preferable option when packaging beverages or other liquids, like soups.

Co-Packing Can Cut Costs

If you’re on a tight budget and looking to cut costs where you can, it may be worthwhile to look into co-packing or contract packaging and see if it’s right for your business.

Packing goods is often the last step in manufacturing, and sometimes as a small business, you might not have the money in the budget to package products in-house.

This is where co-packing comes in. There are several ways to work with a co-packer or contract packager so they can package your goods according to your schedule.

Contract packaging companies are typically used for fulfilling short-term product packing needs.

If your food boxes or packing require specialized equipment and trained professionals on-site, it could be best to look into co-packing.

Packing services can help with design, inventory management, printing and production, thermoforming and fitting your product, and package assembly and fulfillment.

These packaging solutions can greatly benefit your business, so consider seeking out co-packing services.

Conclusion

These are the most common methods of food packaging and the general supplies you’ll need to get started on manufacturing. It depends on your product, where you’re selling it, who you’re selling it to, and how long the product’s shelf life is.

If it’s a dry product, you’ll need to determine if it needs to be freeze-dried, vacuum sealed, or sold as is and what kind of packaging supplies you’ll need.

More logistics come into play for other food packaging products that may need to be frozen, like how the products will travel in transit and how they will be packaged on-site.

If you have more questions about food packaging options, reach out to us at the greater goods for help with any food consulting needs.

Our specialists have a wide range of expertise in food packaging materials, sustainability, packaging supply, and safety.

We can help you connect with quality suppliers to protect your food products in transit and on retailers’ shelves until they get into the hands of your customers.

“What Are the 4 Ps of Food Marketing?”

Are you overwhelmed by the seemingly endless marketing tactics employed to sell food, both online and in stores? It cannot be easy to understand which strategies impact consumers most and what you need to do to make a product more attractive. Fortunately, there is an easy way to simplify your approach: the 4 Ps of food marketing. 

This guide will provide you with an overview of each element, from pricing and product placement through promotion and packaging, so that you can better take advantage of all available opportunities for growing your customer base.

Place

Food marketers understand the importance of a well-thought-out strategy to be successful. Placement is an especially important factor when selling food; it should provide customers convenience and make the most of limited retail space.

Companies must also consider product availability, pricing strategies, and promotional tactics such as advertising and special offers that will attract customers. In short, placement is one part of the puzzle that you need to address in a holistic food marketing plan so that businesses can see the best results.

Price

Factors such as production costs, supply/demand relationships for a product, consumer preferences, and projected profits must all be taken into consideration when setting the price of a particular food product. Additionally, given that regional markets tend to have different cost structures and consumer preference levels, it’s important to adjust pricing strategies accordingly.

Thoughtful knowledge of the activities and trends within the chosen market can go a long way in helping to both understand the product placement and accurately set prices that will be attractive to consumers while allowing the business to maximize its profits.

Product

To be successful, your food product must stand out in a competitive landscape. For example, promoting a new type of dish helps highlight ingredients and flavors that are unique and different from more traditional dishes. Marketers have many tools to promote a product, such as leveraging social media platforms, creating content around why their product is innovative, or offering discounts or promotions.

However, food marketers know that the most important factor in deciding whether or not a customer chooses their product is the taste of the food itself and making sure that potential customers know what they will be getting when they purchase it.

Promotion

Food companies of all sizes have come to rely on marketing promotion to reach the largest possible audience and maximize sales. Food companies can more effectively engage potential customers and influence their buying decisions by using various mediums, such as advertising, social media posts, and product-based shows.

Conclusion

The food industry is a dynamic and ever-changing landscape. To be successful, marketers need to stay ahead of the curve and understand the latest trends. The 4 Ps of food marketing is one model that you can use to guide your marketing decisions. However, it’s important to remember that this model is just a tool and not a definitive answer to all marketing questions.

Need some professional advice on how to get your food product noticed? We’d be happy to help! Click here to get in touch with the greater goods, and book a complimentary consultation with us today.

women buying packed almonds

“Packaging of Food Products – Types & Machines Used”

Packaging your goods is vital to finishing your food product and can come in many different forms. Many different aspects of food production come into play, and packaging is a marriage between technical and safety requirements and marketing needs for your business.

With the right packaging, you can keep your product safe from contamination and spoilage and properly reflect your brand’s image.

This is why it is crucial to work with the right manufacturer and packing facilities to ensure your product tastes great and looks great inside and out.

Let’s go through some of the most common food packaging materials and their applications.

How Are Products Packaged?

Products are packaged in several ways, and methods vary depending on the goods. For example, solid foods with a long shelf life can often be packaged in a plastic container or cardboard box.

Dried fruits and nuts can be stored in vacuum-sealed plastic bags or rigid plastic containers, depending on the desired shelf life.

Packaging depends on how the goods will travel in transit. If you’re planning to export your packaged food product out of the country, or send it to international distributors, then opt for packaging options that can extend your product’s shelf life and keep it decontaminated during transit.

The most common food packaging materials are plastics, glass, metals, and papers and their composites.

Can You Package Products at Home?

The best method for packaging products is at the proper packaging facilities. While you can package your food product at home, it depends on the product you’re selling.

We highly recommend outsourcing your food packaging and not packaging products at home. When you expand your business to outside clients and retailers, you must follow the proper health and safety protocols for your region.

Whether it’s getting FDA approval or following your region’s health and safety practices, food is packaged to keep it safe and uncontaminated in transit.

That way, it can be safely delivered from the production facility to the retailer and the customer.

Bottles & Jars

juice bottle's packaging

Jarred or bottled products both require the proper facilities. This is because packaging butter, liquids, or other goods in a sealed container like a bottle means that all surfaces must be decontaminated.

For example, nut butter should be packaged in an airtight jar sealed upon packaging. Liquids and butter have the potential to be contaminated more easily than solid foods, so they should be handled with care.

If you want to package your goods in food containers like cans, jars, or bottles, you will need the proper facilities to do so. You can outsource this service to a food packaging facility specializing in aseptic packaging.

Aseptic packaging refers to packaging goods while keeping all surfaces fully decontaminated and sterilized. Aseptic packaging helps avoid cross-contamination, which is especially important for foods containing common allergens, like nuts.

Trained professionals must be on-site, and the proper machinery must be used to follow full health and safety protocols.

Boxing

Boxing your product in a boxed structure is another option. This works great for dry foods, like biscuits and cereals, but keep in mind there is typically additional packaging inside the box.

For example, a box of biscuits will need to be stored in a plastic tray, sealed in a plastic bag, and then boxed in cardboard. This is to keep the product’s shape intact and ensure it doesn’t get contaminated.

A cardboard box is one of the most environmentally friendly packaging methods on this list, so it’s a great option if you’re looking for sustainable packaging methods.

Paper bags are also becoming more popular now and can help you reduce the environmental impact of food packaging.

If you want environmentally sustainable packaging methods, it doesn’t just stop at paper and cardboard. Draft a plan for your food product, and see how viable it is to include eco-friendly food packaging.

Plastic Containers

packed dry fruits

According to the Food Packaging Forum, 27% of the market share of packaging material is rigid plastic, meaning the market still needs plastic containers.

It remains one of the most cost-efficient and sterile ways to package food and give it a longer shelf life.

For any specific news and updates on the world of food packaging, the Food Packaging Forum regularly updates its website on the safety status of food packaging materials.

They cover not only plastics but silicones, can coatings, bioplastics, and more.

Vacuum Sealing

Vacuum sealing helps to prevent any contaminants from entering the product’s environment and keeps it sealed from outside moisture. This method usually uses plastic to seal the goods in a bag.

This is one of the safest and most efficient ways of packaging your goods and keeping them decontaminated, but it requires the appropriate facilities to be packaged.

If your products will be vacuum sealed, you may need to outsource product packaging or look into contract packaging. 

Conclusion

We’ve outlined the most used food product packaging materials in the market, but the method used really depends on your product.

Ensure you’ve done your research and your business is following the right health and food safety protocols in the manufacturing and packaging process of the product.

If you need help and aren’t sure where to start, we can help you find your first steps. Managing a food business is no easy task, and while juggling so many production phases at once, sometimes the packaging is the last thing on our minds.

So, drop us a line at the greater goods, and we can help you with your food consultant needs. Our team of specialists has industry expertise in sustainable factory production management and co-manufacturing, and we are always here to help.

Contact us today for a free consultation so we can help you get started with the food manufacturing process.