If you've just happened onto this
website, we must inform you that the site is
intended
for people who happen to be
looking for a company to produce their homemade food
product for the general
public. Most folks visiting this site have purchased the
ebook
(also available on CD)
entitled,
Start your own
food company, from your
kitchen counter to the checkout counter"
The "ebook" is
available at www.startyourownfoodcompany.com
Please
check it out if you're trying to start your own food business.
With that said...
As you know,
copackers are the folks that produce your product. If you read the link
provided in the book you
learned as much about the academic side as possible. The
human side or "real world"
side is yours to discover. To review the article you can click
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/foodsci/ext/pubs/copacker.html
Another good reference:
http://www.specialtyfoodresource.com/page/page/4205553.htm
.
The problem
with these folks is they don’t spend a great deal of money on
advertising
to get your business. Actually they spend nothing on trying to
get your
business.
So, as you would expect, THEY”RE HARD TO FIND. And when your in the
beginning
stages of a food business it can prove to be very frustrating. Some may
take
you by
the hand and walk you through the whole process of getting your product
produced,
labeled, and distributed. Others may not. Some may take a recipe from
your
kitchen
before you’ve even established yourself as a real business, others may
not.
Like I
stated in the book, a little sleuthing goes a long way. Go to the store
and find
products
produced in your area. Give the folks a call (both the company and the
producer
because they will probably be two different companies) Get feedback on
the
copacker
from the company and ask the copacker for additional references.
Research,
research,
research. Like I stated in the book, spice importers and wholesalers
are a
great
place to start your exploring because if they don't copack
themselves, they
usually
work with copackers..
This is a site, indexed by state, of copackers throughout
the country. I will be adding
to the
list as I travel around the country so always check back to this site
for updates. If
you
happen upon a reputable copacker, PLEASE send me an email so I can add
them
to the
list. (email address follows)
As you surf through this
website you'll notice some of the companies listed don't have
websites, heck, most don't
even have toll free numbers! Check out the enhanced
listings first if they are in
your area. Use your head when searching. If the site states the
company produces Asian
sauces, you can pretty much bank on the fact that they have
the facilities to produce
just about any kind of sauce. Even if the stated products aren't
related to your
products, give them a call. Chances are they know someone in the area
that can help. Good luck in
your endeavor. You can always email me with questions you
may have.
Bob Lauck
blauck@spamarrest.com
Click your state:
Al-Ar-Az
CA
CO-CT
FL
GA
HI-IA
KS-KY
LA-ME
MD-MA
MI-MN
MS-MO-MT
NC
NE-NV-NH
NJ
NM
NY
OH
OK-OR
PA-RI
SC-TN
TX
UT-VT
WY-WI