Specialty Food Consulting provides a complete cradle to grave partnership. We offer experienced, professional, food consulting services to companies and individuals who need assistance entering the Supermarket/Retail food sales channel or who wish to create a food product or idea for the industry. Our team consists of experienced individuals with specific CPG experience. Whether in the sales, marketing, food technology, graphics and packaging or other aspect of the industry, all of our team has a minimum of 30 years in the industry. We develop products, assist non-US companies to enter the US Market, work with upstarts in the industry and much more. If you are or want to be in the food industry SFC can assist.
Our team of mostly independent members allows for a more economical approach as well as a team of free thinkers. None of us drinks from the same glass of Kool-Aid! Very often teams operate as a copy machine; sending out variations of a theme. With our independent approach, that never happens.
Because our team operates independently, we work collaboratively and work with others who bring us clients as well as new ideas, continuously. If it can be done, we can get it done, on budget, in time and authentically.
We have a team of food technologists, marketing experts, package designers and others, as needed, who are brought in to our projects. With independent associates SFC is more economical, more flexible and more objective.
With nearly 50 years of active, industry experience, our owner, Jeff Landsman, educates, creates and collaborates with those who wish to achieve professional excellence. Working with our team of independent collaborators, we can offer value, expertise and speed to market. Because our team regularly works together, we all trust, and communicate with each other. Additionally, we also like each other!
Each project is unique. We approach each one from that perspective. New eyes see better. Every project and product are analyzed for maximum results. We do not accept every project; only those that we can benefit. New Product, new flavor, new packaging, new market? Want to enter the US, the retail market? Let us know and we are here. How can we assist?
Our Process to help you come to the US Market
“Translating Language Understanding Cultures”
Before coming to the US Market, it is imperative to know and understand what requirements are needed. As a producer of goods, it is important to do an analysis of the factory and its processes, the products that you produce and the packaging that the products sit in.
Additionally, it is helpful to understand the interests and motivations of the American consumer and the commercial buyers such as supermarkets and distributors. It is not enough to have a great product. As you will read in the following list, there is much more than just sending your products to the US. Yes, there is the language issue but that is usually less
complicated than translating the cultural use and or reasons for the products. Not everything translates apples for apples. Sometimes a product sold in your country can’t find a home on the US supermarket shelf. Our job, which is somewhat outlined here, is to both determine the eligibility of a company and its products to enter the US market. Not every company can enter the US. Sometimes it is technical requirements and other times it is just the type of product that is produced. It is better however to do this analysis than to come to the US, attempt to sell and not be at all successful. My father used to say” Measure ten times, cut once!” This means make sure before advancing to the US. It is better to be prepared, be ready, understand what is needed at all levels before spending the time and the money to just fail!
Are you currently qualified to enter the US Market Commercially?
1) What 3rd party certifications do you have? SQF, BRC, AIB? How long have you had them?
2) If you have no 3rd party certifications, do you have a HAACP plan? Can you provide it?
3) Are you ISO certified?
4) Have you ever sold or do you presently sell in any other foreign markets? Which ones and
how are you doing?
5) Review the US Market geographically- How it is made up. Niche opportunities. Best way to
approach the marketplace.
6) Educate what the basic customer needs are to be purchased: Promos, inventory, labels,
entry fees, etc.
The ten things you need to do or have!
At this point it gets a bit company and product specific.
7) Mutually review and do a full analysis of all products that are relevant sellers in your
country and in the next best-selling market.
8) Review top ten products to better understand what they are, uses, preparation, etc.
9) Decide if top ten products should be offered to the US Market. If not then which ones?
10) Make changes or additions to top ten items for the US Market
11) Review all English labels of top ten items and make corrections or create new names for
the products.
12) Review packs and decide if they need to be revised or accepted.
13) Review all ingredients and preparation instructions of top ten products
14) Create or revise all labels for top ten products including prep, ingredients and
nutritional’s
15) Review, create planogram for top ten products with merchandising ideas and
placements.
16) Develop pricing structure for top ten products
17) Create collateral material for top ten products.
18) Concurrently: Create US Company-Open Banking Relationship-Establish proposed supply
chain.
19) Develop Promotions based on merchandising and department placement.
20) Research Category review dates.
21) Research competition and overall market by working with IRI
22) Start Sales activities.
The following presents some additional activities/services that may be required before actually going to market and getting on the shelf. These are merely options
Food Industry Consulting
Depending upon whether a client is in the startup, growth or maturity phase of their business plan, or looking to enter the US Market for the first time, some or all of these services might be required! Let’s discuss.
• Go to market strategy
- Product Development
- Concept Development
- Recipe Refinement
- Ingredient Selection
- Brand Name Development
- Packaging Design & Logos
- Photography
- Food Technology/Lab Testing
- Sample Testing & Refinement
- Nutritional Panels/Statement of Ingredients
- UPC Codes & Code Administration
- Co-packer research • Price Lists
- Warehousing & Storage-Supply Chain
- Market Development
- Develop essential sales materials
- Complete new web site.
- Set-up contracts with local warehouses
- Appoint & manage specialty brokers
- Setup regional distributors when necessary
- Implement & manage national trade shows
- Prepare trade advertising campaigns
- Orchestrate trade publicity
- Investigate any marketing strategy that will benefit brand growth
- Ideation
No matter what our clients need, we can provide the service. Our granular approach to the
market is what allows you to enter it promptly, properly and profitably! Get in touch.
Contact:
Email
Office: 410-944-1804
What’s Ap: +1-410-984-8666
Our Offices are located in Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, DC
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