Now is an excellent time for artisan food producers. Consumers are seeking a wider variety of food options, and with the rise of e-commerce, it has never been easier to connect with customers around the globe. As a result, food startups can experience rapid growth in ways that were not possible before.
However, success takes work, especially when it comes to increasing production to meet rising demand. But manufacturing consultancy services can help. These experts offer valuable guidance on how to expand production profitably and equitably, helping food producers navigate the path to scaling up and ensuring they can continue to meet market needs.
They give expert guidance for food safety compliance.
Organizations like GENEDGE, a hands-on manufacturing consultancy, are here to support small food businesses, especially those working with high-risk products. They offer various food safety consulting services, helping producers handle the sometimes tricky landscape of food safety laws. With their help, producers can meet these strict standards without using up all their resources.
GENEDGE also guides producers through Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to keep everything clean and safe. This focus means products meet safety requirements and arrive at distribution in top-notch condition.
Safety Regulations Consultants Assist:
- Virginia Food and Drink Law
- Regulations Governing the Manufacturing and Sale of Products that Contain Industrial Hemp Extracts Intended for Human Consumption
- FDA: Good Manufacturing Practices Regulations
- FDA: Labeling Regulations
- FDA: Specialized Laws & Regulations
HACCP Training and Certification
- HACCP: Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points
- For those interested in HACCP training and certification, we are currently offering a comprehensive class to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to develop and implement effective HACCP plans. Stay tuned for upcoming training dates and registration details!
Food & Beverage Roundtable Webinar Recap
- Missed our recent webinar on HACCP implementation? Don’t worry; you can catch the recap here. Gain valuable insights and practical tips from industry experts on how to apply HACCP principles for food safety and regulatory compliance.
Additional Programs
- About the Virginia Rabbit Program (pdf)
- Application for the Virginia Rabbit Program (pdf)
- The Safe Quality Food (SQF) Program
More Virginia Manufacturing Resources
- Animals in Food & Beverage Establishments (pdf)
- Dogs on the Premises of Alcoholic Beverage Establishments (pdf)
- Frequently Asked Questions: Food Safety Program Annual Fees
- Food & Drug Administration
- Handbook for Small Food Manufacturers (pdf)
- New Regulations For Food Storage and Manufacturing Facilities (pdf)
- Virginia’s Finest Program
- Permit FAQs (pdf)
Read more about these regulations in detail in our past blog.
They enact better quality control through customized solutions.
GENEDGE takes a hands-on approach to help producers build scalable and effective food safety programs. They cover everything from on-farm safety practices to implementing quality management systems like ISO 9001 and 22000. By providing customizable templates for food safety management systems—including standard operating procedures and record-keeping—GENEDGE makes it easier for clients to track, manage, and meet all aspects of food hygiene and safety. This isn’t just about checking off compliance boxes; it’s about improving the overall quality of food products and ensuring they last longer.
Read the 5 quality control trends that are shaping up the artisan food industry in our past blog.
They help scale up food production.
Manufacturing consultants enable artisan food producers to address the complex science of scaling up with guidance. These consultants focus on efficiency, a core principle of lean manufacturing, to help identify practical approaches for handling expansion challenges. Here are some tangible ways GENEDGE lean manufacturing consultants aid in scaling up food production:
- Adjust existing recipes and processes to accommodate larger production volumes while maintaining quality and taste.
- Consultants guide producers in reformulating recipes by managing ingredient behavior, adjusting cooking times, and optimizing mixing methods.
- With increased production demands, consultants work with producers to establish relationships with new suppliers capable of providing ingredients at scale so cost targets and quality standards are met.
- Scaling up production often means new and larger equipment; experts help select the right mixers, pumps, and other machinery molded to the producer’s specific needs at new scales.
- Food safety is everything, and consultants offer strategies to incorporate practical safety steps like pasteurization processes to maintain product integrity amid expanding production.
- As production scales, manufacturing consultants provide systems to lower waste, streamline processes, and turn by-products into profitable secondary products, which helps ensure business sustainability.
Learn more about how lean manufacturing improves the food supply chain in our past blog.
They forge strong collaborations with regional stakeholders.
GENEDGE builds meaningful partnerships with local businesses to help them overcome everyday challenges. One example is their work with Salsas Don Sebastian, a Hispanic female-owned company in Richmond, VA. The business struggled with understanding their Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), making it hard for them to grow. GENEDGE’s team stepped in and provided practical advice that made tracking costs easier, improved their financial reports, and boosted how they manage labor.
This teamwork gave Salsas Don Sebastian the knowledge they needed about their finances, helping them make better decisions for sustainable growth. These partnerships support local businesses and strengthen Virginia’s economy by assisting small artisan food producers and manufacturers to thrive.
They help food producers impact the local community.
Beyond achieving individual clients’ success, GENEDGE bolsters Virginia’s small to mid-sized food systems. By collaborating with organizations in the MEP Network™ and partner hub networks, GENEDGE spearheads the use of local produce. This helps reduce waste and builds sustainable and efficient food systems. Their efforts cultivate strong connections between producers and other stakeholders throughout the supply chain, benefiting community health and boosting local economies in Virginia.
As GENEDGE expands its reach across different areas of manufacturing, its commitment to learning, building relationships, innovation, and community support stays strong. By offering comprehensive and customized solutions, GENEDGE helps artisan food producers not only comply with today’s regulations but also create opportunities for future growth and success.
