How do I start my food business?
The first step in developing a food product is ideation. Find out what the current trends are in the food sector, what market needs there are and what business opportunities exist. Research the market as you develop your business idea. Ensure you have a clearly defined target customer and a thorough understanding of your product's role in the marketplace.
Product and Process Development
As you start your food business, you will focus on developing your product. This includes analyzing and perfecting your product's formulation and scaling up the recipe so it can be produced efficiently. You will also need to determine the best option for processing your product. At this stage, you will learn about the regulatory and processing requirements for your product, as well as what permits and licenses you need to sell it. You will also need to develop a label for your product that meets federal guidelines.
How do I develop my product?
If you need help developing your product, scaling up your recipe or determining the shelf life of your product, there are facilities that can help you:
- Food Development Centre
- Prairie Research Kitchen at RRC Polytech
- Richardson Centre for Food Technology and Research, University of Manitoba
Where do I source ingredients?
The Manitoba Food Ingredient and Product Directory is an inventory of Manitoba food ingredient and product companies that businesses can utilize to efficiently identify and source ingredients and products. The Manitoba Agriculture By-Product Directory is an inventory of Manitoba by-products and businesses utilizing and selling by-products in Manitoba.
Another helpful resource is the Food in Canada Buyers Guide.
How do I process my product?
Your first step is determining what type of processing facility is right for you. Many new businesses choose to use commercial community kitchens when starting out because they are an affordable option. As you build your business, you might choose to consider commercial community kitchens, co-packing options or setting up your own processing facility.
- Using a commercial community kitchen
- Manitoba Commercial Community Kitchen Finder App
- Renting a commercial community kitchen - a checklist
- Using a Contract Manufacturer or Co-packer
- Manitoba Co-Packer Services Finder App
- Your own processing facility
What Type of Food Processing Facility is Right for You – a video series
This 6 part video series, prepared and presented by Manitoba Agriculture Value Added Branch, features food processors and service providers including commercial community kitchens and contract manufacturers. The videos will help food processors to understand the options and considerations involved in choosing a food processing facility.
Using Commercial Community Kitchens
- Austin Commercial Community Kitchen
- Kitchen Sync Commercial Community Kitchen
- Entrepreneur Perspective - Smak Dab Gourmet Mustard
Using a Contract Manufacturer or Co-Packer
How do I learn about regulatory, processing and food safety requirements?
The regulatory and processing requirements you need to follow depend on the type of product you're selling and where you'll sell it. There are many resources that can help you determine what requirements you need to follow and how to get started:
Food safety programs are increasingly becoming a customer and regulatory requirement. Companies of all sizes are adopting food safety programs to meet these expectations and demonstrate their commitment to safe food production. There are useful resources that can help you get started with your food safety program:
How do I get necessary permits and licenses?
The permits and licenses you need depend on where your product will be processed and where you'll sell it. There are many resources that can help you determine what permits and licenses you will need:
- Food safety regulations for marketing a food product in Manitoba webinar
- For Farmers' Market Sales: Manitoba Health
- Selling to 3 Retailers or Less Within Manitoba: Manitoba Health
- Selling to 4 Retailers or More and/or to Food Service Within Manitoba: Manitoba Agriculture
- Provincial Permit Process and Construction Requirements for Food Processors
- For Retail Sales Outside of Manitoba (some exceptions): Canadian Food Inspection Agency Safe Food for Canadians License
- Is Certification Important for all Businesses
For alcohol manufacturing, contact the following for permits and licensing:
How should my product be labeled?
Food products have specific label requirements, including what information must be displayed and the size of the font used. There are service providers that can review your label to ensure it meets requirements:
- Food Labelling Requirements
- Food Labelling for Industry Tool
- Introduction to Canadian Food Labelling Requirements
- Overview of US Food Labelling Requirements
Food products sold into retail markets must have a nutrition facts table (NFT). Contact a business development specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, at mbagrifood@gov.mb.ca, for a list of companies that can develop your NFT.
