Founder and director of Sage Expert, a food production coaching company helping food entrepreneurs navigate facets of the specialty food business, Ashley Sutterfield has experience setting up makers for success. During a webinar taking place tomorrow, July 14 at 1 p.m. EST, she will discuss the four main production options new specialty food brands have, and the considerations one should take to ensure success. Register here for the event titled, “Understand your Production Options: Decide If a Copacker Is Right For You."
SFA News Daily spoke with Sutterfield.
What are the four major production options new specialty food businesses need to consider?
• Co-Packing
• Self-manufacturing
• Self-manufacturing to co-pack
• Hybrid of the three
More information about and examples of each option, including why a company would choose one method over another, will be discussed in the presentation.
Is there a mistake you often see newer food businesses make when finding or working with a co-packer?
There is a lot of preparation and due diligence that should happen on the front end before you begin talking to a co-packer. Often, companies want to rush to find a co-packer instead of the co-packer. Co-packing is a partnership, a relationship that needs to be nurtured. It is in a brand’s best interest to take time and be intentional when partnering with the right co-packer. Understanding how to approach co-packing will help you establish a trusting relationship.
Do you have any advice for specialty food businesses starting out?
Take a step-by-step approach. I often see owners trying to do it all at once. It is easy to fall into that trap, but it is not an effective way to build your business. If you want clarity, efficiency, and growth, take it step-by-step: have one priority, then move on to the next priority. It will give you clarity and create momentum.
What key skills do you hope attendees will walk away with a better understanding of?
My hope is that owners see that there is more than one way to scale their production and that they feel confident to explore the option that is best for them.
Related: Q&A: Leveraging Paid and Earned Media for Specialty Food Businesses; SFA's Spill & Dish Podcast: Adding Excitement to Oatmeal With Lin Jiang of Yishi Foods