How to Package Frozen Consumer Goods: For Newbies
Have you ever wondered what it takes to get your favorite frozen treats packaged and ready for retail? Well… follow me on my journey as I explain step-by-step how it’s done!
First, let me quickly explain why Tarrant’s decided to get into consumer-packaged goods. I was sitting at a food and beverage conference in Charleston, SC wondering how I was going to increase sales at the restaurant. Let’s be real… nothing has been the same since Covid and we needed to get creative. Someone asked the question “What’s your boop?” to get people in the door. Our boop?! I’m sure you’re familiar with the $4.99 rotisserie chicken from Costco… or their hot dog & soda combo for $1.50. Well, that’s THEIR boop… but what was ours at Tarrant’s?
That’s what brings us to our #1 selling item, she-crab soup. She-crab soup is what brings people in the door at Tarrant’s and everything after that is an added bonus. So that’s the first thing to figure out. What are you going to package and sell? Once you are confident in your product it’s time to get down to business.
Research Your Niche: Research to figure out what makes your product stand out. Is it unique? Find similar products, order them for market research, and jot down ideas on how to set yours apart.
Perfect Your Recipe & Packaging: Finalize your recipe by whipping up batch after batch and having fun trying out different ways to package it! Send samples for nutritional testing to the lab and experiment with containers (I used EMSL for testing & Webstaurant for packaging), and don’t forget to check alcohol levels if you're walking the fine line—like I mistakenly did! Fun fact: You cannot package an item as food if it contains more than 0.5% ABV. 🍷
Design your Nutritional Label: Partner with a local branding/marketing company—shout out to Campfire for our beautiful She-Crabby logos and labels! Once your label is topnotch, make sure it meets VA Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) guidelines. Submit for approval. Once approved, I teamed up with Sttark for printing (just don't go overboard; chances are you'll tweak things as you gather feedback).
Kitchen Adventures: Secure a kitchen space—consider renting places like Hatch in Richmond, VA if you don't already have a commercial kitchen.
Complete the “Permit Application for a Commercial Kitchen Food Processing Operation” through VDACS if you are in Virginia (I’m sure other states have similar applications). If you are packing seafood products, brace yourself for a longer approval process.
If you’re in the seafood industry, additional documentation may be required under Subparts C & G of 21 CFR 117. This involves completing a Seafood Hazard Analysis and HACCP (Seafood Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) plan. I personally completed the Seafood HACCP online training course through Cornell University, which costs approximately $400 including registration and materials.
Write a Seafood Hazard Analysis and very meticulous HACCP plan (this can be time consuming).
The inspector will then schedule a pre-operational inspection with you.
Receive temporary permit in the mail.
Prepare for another inspection and final permit that will need to be renewed annually.
Dot Your 'I's and Cross Your 'T's: While awaiting approvals, brainstorm catchy names for your product and lock down social media handles and domain names. Check the availability of your chosen legal name and consult a trademark attorney if needed.
Spread the Buzz: Reach out to the media to generate excitement—shout out to Richmond Times Magazine for featuring our She-Crabby soup!
Final Approvals: Complete walkthroughs with VDACS and Food Safety for necessary manufacturing permits.
Crunch the Numbers: Determine your pricing strategy for retail and wholesale. Factor in costs such as ingredients, packaging, labor, and aim for a healthy profit margin of at least 40% for wholesale deals.
Spread Your Wings: Start signing up for farmers' markets and food shows to introduce your product. Offer free samples to create a buzz and gather feedback.
Network and Learn: Join industry organizations like the Virginia Specialty Food Association to connect with fellow CPG (consumer packaged goods) enthusiasts. Mentors like AR’s Hot Honey have been invaluable to me personally—in helping navigate local markets! Find your person and start building those relationships and sales!
By following these steps, you’ll be on your way to turning your culinary dreams into reality. You might feel like quitting, but keep going. What’s that saying… "Nothing worthwhile comes easy"? Stay tuned for more tips and tricks as we explore the world of Consumer Packaged Goods together! :)
