Small Food Startups

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every food and farm business in some way. But for all the roadblocks this situation has caused, it has also opened up new opportunities. That is why FFI has been talking about shifting business strategies in response to the pandemic and predicted recession. Could alternate sales channels, product offerings, or distribution models keep your company rocking?

Women found innovative food and farm businesses all the time, yet they still have a harder time landing investment than male entrepreneurs do. Part of the issue is decision-makers in the investment world are predominantly men. Regardless, it is still entirely possible for female founders to raise money successfully. Gaining financial literacy is the first step. They need to be exceptionally well-versed in their needs and numbers and go into investment discussions with confidence.

Rachael Young of yaupon beverage brand YAYAYA joins Tera to talk about building a beverage brand around an unknown plant, working with copackers and courting investor partners who know the food space.

If e-commerce wasn’t a priority for food brands before, COVID-19 has certainly made it one. Online food sales are soaring right now, and many shoppers want to buy direct from producers. A big part of your online strategy is deciding which online platforms to pursue. Our latest podcast explores how to figure this out. Also check out our free business tools to guide businesses during this tricky time, and remember to join our Monday virtual huddles for entrepreneurs and consultants.

In Edible-Alpha® podcast #60, Tera catches up with consultant Alli Ball, creator of the Retail Ready online course and the Food Biz Wiz podcast....

Franchisers make money through initial franchise fee for setup costs, controlling product sales (by buying product, then selling to the stores after marking it up), and royalties, which come off of top line sales of the franchised business in return for the support and process development of the franchiser. This is often the biggest source of income for franchisers.

SAGE contributes to the food system by helping elevate the data around the impact of food and agriculture in a way that helps people understand the connections between this sector and the rest of society and the economy.

Funky Fresh Spring Rolls is a company that produces uniquely flavored, hand rolled spring rolls that are baked or grilled (not fried) with fresh and local ingredients. The Funky Fresh team began selling at Farmers Markets, which in addition to providing early cash flow have functioned as market research labs, allowing them to talk directly to consumers.

Union Kitchen is a shared-use kitchen and food business accelerator in in Washington D.C. While having a shared-use kitchen eliminates the need for capital for kitchen equipment, there are many other things food businesses need to raise capital for, which is why they have distribution and retail outlets as part of their model.

The decision to add a value-added line is a serious one. There is no single set of laws that apply to value-added products and no single definition of a value added product. Instead, each law may have its own specific definition. This guide helps you to navigate what to look for in terms of legal implications when you are adding value to your products.