AboutJim Pfister Expertise Food Engineering/Manufacturing, Food Packaging/Distribution, Engineering Beverage Lines, Reducing operating cost of packaging lines while increasing efficiency. Lean Manufacturing. Incorporating new package technology into existing operations. Training staff to achieve smooth transition from "start-up" to full production. Managing complex projects across multi-disciplinary lines. Equipment PreShipment Factory Acceptance testing and Commissioning programs for new equipment.
Experience Employment history: Over thirty-five years of experience. Managed as much as $40MM in concurrent, multi-disciplinary projects, both domestic and international, and have worked with such firms as Campbell Soup, Coca-Cola, Hershey`s, and Nabisco.
Organizations: An author and speaker, as well as a member of the IoPP. Past Chairman of IoPP`s Consultant`s Council and Member of the Packaging Equipment Performance Committee.
Question QUESTION: I have developed a really good fat free brownie which uses no artificial fat alternative, preservatives or colours and is organic. I do not want to work out of home baking this but rather want to contract someone to produce, package and distribute these brownies while I concentrate on the marketing and sales. Who do I contact to do this? What are people like that called - I have no clue what to look for as the food manufacturers and producers I have contacted so far do not do such a thing.
Thanks.
ANSWER: Sam,
Good morning.
Normally, I would tell the requester that they need to talk to either a contract packer or a private label packer. While that's true for you as well, you also should look at small local bakeries, too.
The Contract Packers Assn has a search feature on its website that will show which of their members you could talk to. The Private Label Assn is s little clumsier, but you can still find info.
The best way to search out bakers would be to do a Google localized as best as you can. Also, since your product is organic, you could do a search on which bakeries have been certified organic.
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QUESTION: Hi Jim,
Since your last reply I have decided to hand pack my brownie mix myself as the business location has now moved overseas.
I have a new challenge. I want my mix to be completely fair trade and so originally I was going to have fair trade chocolate imported from europe or the US. However, I am having problems sourcing fair trade sugar and flour as suppliers in the middle east have no idea what I am even asking when I say fair trade.
Obviously the cost of shipping all the raw ingredients is not feasible. However I was wondering if there is some information you can give me about fair trade flour and sugar that might help me. For example, since they can tell me the country of origin of the wheat and sugar, are there certain countries where as a rule, they already adhere to fair trade harvesting regulations? For example I heard... but am not sure of the accuracy of this info... that any wheat originated in canada is definately fair trade. And canadian wheat is available here.
Hope you can help.
Answer Sam,
Hello again.
I have no experience in fair trade sourcing, and I also cannot think of anyone to recommend to you. I suspect there are international trade councils for commodities like sugar and flour that might be able to help you, but I have no contacts.
