Selling Food to Grocery Stores

My sister works for whole foods. She used to work with the vice president that searches for new products.

They will not speak with anyone who does not already have a good record of selling their products for a length of time. That can show how their business produces and can guarantee they meet the standards and meet the demand of orders.

They look at everything to make sure the businesses they work with are stable.

The will request records of health inspections of the food prep facility for a length of time.

I do not think they purchase recipes. She mentioned that they receive a lot of them, but do not have the time to research them. They are dated and filed as unread, so that in the future, if the same product or type of product shows up inthe stores, they can prove they were not plagerized.

Many of the whole foods in house recipes are developed in house. This way they are original to the company and do not have to pay for them.

My sister started out with company working in the bakery as a manager. She said the bakers worked on new recipes all of the time. But the recipes are the property of WF. If developed there while they are employees.

I would try starting out at a farmers market.

I truly don't know. All the grocery stores in my area have their own bakery and deli's inside so they would not want to buy these type of items, they would be competition for their own brand. I would try to call the local vo-tech and ask the small business department. They should have grants to help people do just this activity.

They should also have facilities for your business to use if you pay a small fee. It is usually pretty easy since it all goes together with the other programs they teach.

I think you might want to check with grocery/food brokers?
Usually chains like that purchase & make deals with brokers.
That's how it is here in PA, anyhow....
Good luck!

I would start with smaller outlets to get your product out for the public.

You know all the FDA rules and regulations, follow them, have creative packaging and market. Make the product available FREE for some events so that word gets out. Word of mouth is a great advertiser for FREE.

Once you get some momentum, then go to smaller venues to place your product in them... the corner store, private businesses, etc.

Start small and move up. Remember, if you do get into a place like Trader Joe's or Whole Foods, the recipes will no longer be yours.

Good luck with your venture!

Seems like you should test the waters with convenience stations first. They can put them at the front counter. Rent an approved space to cook in with a diner or church that has an approved kitchen used for daycare. Anything not open at night would do. Make them from Midnight to about 3-4am and then drive them to the convenience stores.

I've heard Whole Foods is tough. I work for a frozen veg. co. and we've had a hard time getting stuff in. I do have a friend who got his wine sold there. Good luck!