Complete Guide To Success In The Food Product Industry

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Any good in the kitchen? If so, there’s a strong chance that a friend or family member has commented on your amazing sauces, jams, or meals. And, you might just be thinking that it would be possible to put your best dish out there into the mainstream. The good news is it is more than possible – many new food products hit the shelves every year. The bad news is that few survive it.

With this in mind, we thought we would create this complete guide to succeeding in the food product industry. Take a read and see what you think. Perhaps your best sauce could end up on the shelves of your local grocery store faster than you might think.

Define yourself

You need several things to make a success out of a food product these days. First of all, your product has to have a story. It could be your grandma’s recipe that has been passed down for years, for example. Or, perhaps, your version of an all-time classic with a twist. You could also go down the health food route, just as Hampton Creek did. According to this business article in the LA Times, their no-egg mayo is causing a storm and proving highly popular. The point is, you need an angle – and a target audience you can talk to. Find that, and there is no reason why success should evade you.

Create a business plan

A solid business plan might be the furthest thing on your mind while you are cooking up a storm in the home kitchen. But, you will need one. There’s a lot to consider, from the cost of your raw ingredients, through to producing the final product. You also have marketing to think about, plus delivery costs, and you will also need to pay for food manufacturers and employees. All those jars that you see on the grocery store shelves might look like they have been made by a little old woman in a cottage. But, the truth is the vast majority are created by surprisingly big businesses. You need to be ready for that before you even get started.

Decide on home or mass production

One thing you will need to do is decide where you see your product. If you plan on reaching the grocery store shelves around the country, you will need to find a manufacturer. There are plenty of food manufacturers out there to choose from. Take a look around your locale and find one with experience of producing similar foods in high volume. However, it’s not the only way you can succeed in the food product industry. Many smaller scale businesses enjoy success, just from working in their home kitchens. Your market will be different, of course. You might sell at local farmers markets, or even through local grocery stores. Local produce is becoming a lot more popular these days, and it could be an avenue worth pursuing. There is something to bear in mind, though. Even if you produce your food from your home kitchen, you will still need to abide by the many food hygiene standards that exist.

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Tick off the legalities

As with any business, you will need to register your company with local, federal and state authorities. Different states will have different rules, and it is essential that you understand them fully. The food business has a lot of regulations that you have to comply with. And, if you are in breach of any of them, it could be the end of your company before you even get off the ground. Furthermore, if someone eats your product and gets ill, you can expect a hefty lawsuit if you haven’t followed the procedures.

Get insurance

Your product could be wildly successful – way beyond your initial expectations. But, if something goes wrong, it is essential to have the right insurance plan in place. It doesn’t matter how careful you are. Things can always go wrong, and accidents happen, either at your workplace or from a customer eating your food. Without insurance, you are either going to face some expensive settlements or possible ruination. Choose your insurance plan wisely, and it will give you the protection you need to succeed.

Label your product

OK, so once you have an idea of your product, it’s time to start marketing. It all starts with the labels you use. All businesses have to start somewhere, and it’s unlikely you will be able to afford TV spots on Superbowl night during your first year. The only way you can make people notice is by drawing them in the old-fashioned way – by standing out on the shelves. Make sure that your labels suit the product you are selling. So, if you have an old-fashioned jam, then an older looking label is going to suit your product a lot better than something with modern typography. There’s another vital thing to remember about labeling food products, too. Don’t forget to put all the relevant information about ingredients and nutrition. The FDA will not be happy if you fail to do so.

General marketing tips

Once your product is ready to go, you can start marketing it. There are the traditional routes to go down, such as tasting sessions in the major grocery stores. You can also contact local news agencies and see if they are interested in your story. A website and social media pages are also essential, as it can give you an enormous kickstart before launch. Use them both to build up a buzz around your product and with any luck, you will get off the ground in a positive fashion.

Getting on the shelves

Once you have started to make a few sales, it’s time to start pitching to bigger stores. It can be a difficult experience, but the exposure you will get if you succeed will be incredible. For many food manufacturers, ending up on the shelves of a national grocery store is the golden goal. And, with a little luck and smart marketing, it should give your business an enormous boost.

We hope you have enjoyed this guide to finding success in the food product business. Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!