How do I find a co-packer?

If you are ready for co-packing, you have to start looking for the right one. Ask food business friends, scour the internet, talk to your local university food science department, and compile a list of potential co-packers.

What do co-Packers do?

A co-packer, also known as a contract packager, is a company that packages and labels products for clients. Co-packers in the food business are also co-manufacturers — that is, they handle the full-service cooking, processing, and blending of food products as well as the packaging and labeling.

How many co-Packers are in the US?

The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT) has a listing of nearly 700 contract packaging companies (co-packers). Far too many people feel that a co-packer is a co-packer, and that any co-packer can do everything.

What is a co-packer for meat?

Co-packers manufacture and package foods for other companies to sell. These products range from nationally-known brands to private labels. Copackers can provide entrepreneurs with a variety of services in addition to manufacturing and packaging products. They can often help in the formulation of the product.

Who needs a co-packer?

Packing a Punch: 10 Signs That Your Business Might Need a Co-Packer

• Scalable Recipe. If you focus on repeating a single recipe over and over again, like jam, you can likely make your food product with your eyes closed.
• Demand.
• Product Shelf Life.
• Capital.
• Ingredients & Packaging.
• Partnership.
• Lead Times.
• Communication.

What is a meat co-packer?

What is a food Copacker?

Co-packers are food processors that have extra manufacturing capacity and offer their services for a fee. This is often an attractive option for people starting in the food business. The product and its package must be matched to the co-packer and its available equipment.

How much does it cost to work with a co-packer?

Rates of $25 – $80/hour are typically depending on the equipment you use. The most common fees are flat day rate and per unit. It’s rare to see a per hour rate unless you’re just doing prep for production and there isn’t a whole lot to finished goods.

What does co pack mean?

Contract Packaging
Contract Packaging, also known as Co-Packing, is the overall process of assembling a product or good into its final finished packaging. Contract packagers can be tasked with something as simple as adding a bar code sticker to a product or as complex as planning, designing, producing and fulfilling the entire package.

Can a co-packer steal your recipe?

Intellectual Property is what you’re giving your co-packer. Make sure that they can’t take your recipe and duplicate it for a competitor. The co-packer’s use of the recipe should not survive the business relationship.