A few years back I had the opportunity to help someone close to me turn his homemade barbecue sauce from something he used in his restaurant to an item that could be found on grocery store shelves. It was a long, interesting and rewarding process. Since I am sure that there are a few entrepreneurs out there that might like to do the same, I thought I’d share how we got the initial approval process started. Here are the basics:
Set Up Your Business
Before a major grocery store will even consider selling your product, you’ll need to set yourself up as a legitimate business. Since I was working for a pre-existing business, I did not have to worry about all the paperwork involved in starting a new business. Others may not be so fortunate. You’ll also need to write business and marketing plans. Having a background in marketing, I was able to write those plans myself. If you do not know how to start a business or write a marketing plan, information on how to do so is available online through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s website.
Get Scheduled Process Approval
If your business is already set up, the first thing that you’ll need to do is get scheduled process approval for your barbecue sauce from your state’s processing authority. Scheduled process approval typically takes four to eight weeks. In Georgia, scheduled process approval may be obtained through the University of Georgia’s Extension Food Science Outreach Program. In my experience, it was one of the longest and most difficult parts of the whole process. Basically, it involves filling in a detailed form and sending samples of your barbecue sauce to an approved lab where it is analyzed. The lab will check it to determine such things as shelf life, acidity and nutritional values. I should also note that there is typically a hefty fee involved for having the lab work done. At the end of the waiting period, a copy of the scheduled process approval will typically be sent to you as well as your state’s department of agriculture.
Get Label Approval
Once you’ve completed the scheduled process approval, you’ll need to get a UPC bar code and have a label mock up done. This can be quite an expensive process. A UPC bar code will typically cost you $500 to $1,000. You can apply for one through GS1. The label must meet Food and Drug Administration guidelines. I had a professional printer work up a few sample labels and then sent them off for FDA approval. After we were assured that the label was in compliance, we went ahead and ordered a full batch. We also ordered all our packaging materials.
Set Up Distribution Channels
Since the person I was helping had a commercial kitchen where he could manufacture the barbecue sauce, there was no need for him to go out in search of one. Those that are not as fortunate will need to find a place suitable for manufacturing as well as set up distribution. In the beginning, we distributed the sauce locally ourselves. Any long distance orders were fulfilled through UPS, FED EX or regular mail depending on the size of the order.
Killeen Gonzalez has a degree in marketing and has spent many years working in the field. She has also successfully brought a barbecue sauce to market.
More from this contributor:
Skate Shop Owner’s Guide to Setting Up a Distribution Channel
Skater’s Guide to the 5 Major Tasks Involved in Creating a Public Relations Plan
Skater’s Guide to the 4 Common Types of Marketing Budget Methods
5 Social Media Management Tools for Small Business
