For many brand owners as demand grows a move to a co-packer is the next step. The pathway to finding a co-packer is different for every company because the range of products and processing requirements is so large in the food industry.
Co-packer arrangements differ but there are things to keep in mind when researching;
minimum orders, pricing
scheduling; frequency, lead times
storage of ingredients and packaging, warehousing of finished products
shared shipping or distribution options
possible shared ingredients, packaging supply, printers
how will product need to change: package, size, format, quality, ingredients, etc.
manufacturing certifications: gluten free, organic, non GMO, etc.
food safety programs: HACCP, SFCR License, GFSI
confidentiality and exclusivity agreements
co-packer agreements
co-packer and brand owner match for values and shared goals
Venturepark Labs has gathered some resources to help the search:
CFIA list of companies with current SFCR license(authorized to ship out of province)
https://inspection.canada.ca/webapps/foodlicenceregistry/en/
Food In Canada Buyers Guide:https://www.foodincanada.com/buyers-guide/
Provincial Resources:
BC Co-Packer Tool: https://bcfoodconnection.ca/
Manitoba:
Sask:
https://applications.saskatchewan.ca/Default.aspx?DN=1196dd72-3b80-42f7-bd16-9b995d862899
Ontario
https://foodandbeverageontario.ca/copack (recently not functioning, check back again)
https://www.ontarioeast.ca/sites/default/files/FoodDirectoryDesign-9.pdf
Alberta:
https://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/content/Agprodir2018.pdf
(co packer portal being developed)
Food Manufacturing Directories
Partnerslate.com (1 free search allowed with basic membership)
https://www.pickyourown.org/copackers-Canada.php
http://www.companylisting.ca/ON/all/311/default.aspx
Tips:
Reach out to your provincial regulatory agency for contacts
Connect with industry associations for your category (see related Resource Library post)
Check out of province
Consider US options
Check back here frequently for more leads to help the co-packer search!