There has been a significant rise in the popularity of food programs in recent decades. Today, there is a vast range of TV shows dedicated to baking alone that are available on streaming services, such as Netflix. Baking and cookery is a hobby that is shared by millions of people around the globe and is an activity that allows creativity and inspiration to be used to make perfect dishes for all the family.
However, an increasing number of entrepreneurs are taking their ideas for meals and food products and transforming these into viable business enterprises. The market for food products produced by small-scale businesses is growing, thanks to an increase in outlets for such produce.
Farmers’ markets and traditional produce shops now contribute a growing part of the overall market for food products and many small-scale producers sell their produce at these types of establishments. If you are planning to start your own small-scale food production business, this article will be of significant benefit.
In it, three top tips are discussed that will help you plan your business and grow an ever-increasing customer base.
1. Consider All Equipment
When planning the design of your food production premises, it is vitally important to consider every piece of equipment that will be required. Do not simply focus on the main items of machinery or equipment, such as mixing and cooking appliances, look at the complete production process.
Remember that every aspect of the production line needs to be fit for food products and must conform to certain food standards. Choose sanitary fittings that are made from non-corrodible materials, such as stainless steel to link parts of your production line operations together.
Also, consider the cleaning and maintenance schedules for this equipment in your purchase decisions. Choose a production setup that allows regular cleaning and inspection routines to take place quickly and efficiently to ensure perfect hygiene and rapid decontamination processes.
2. Promote on Social Media
Small businesses can gain increased customer awareness and can build their brand image effectively by leveraging the power of social media channels. By advertising and promoting your food products to targeted markets on platforms such as Instagram, you can reach a dedicated audience of food lovers by using suitable hashtags.
Link all promotional activities back to your dedicated website and ideally to the product page of the food items that you are promoting to allow a quick purchase to take place. For more tips on promoting your food business on Instagram, see here.
3. Attend Trade Shows
Local and regional trade shows that are dedicated to food producers can be the perfect venue to promote your business. In addition, they can allow business owners to make valuable connections within the wider food industry.
At such trade shows, there are likely to be representatives from wholesalers in the industry and companies that sell the finished food products.
Building a network with key players in the food industry can lead to new sales avenues and the potential to source raw materials at a cheaper price than may be found at other outlets. In short, trade shows can help your small food business grow and thrive in the long term.
Also read: How to Tweak Your Ice Cream Business for More Sales
