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Snacks are great because, for the most part, they are universal. Everyone loves something salty or sweet, so you can trust you’ll always have a market. However, the process is not without difficulty—there might be some bumps along the way. Here are some things you need to consider before starting a snacking business.
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Find Your Market
First, you need to find your market. Snacks have the advantage of appealing to countless people, but a smart business owner knows that curating to a specific demographic makes things easier. Your snack can’t be all things to everyone who encounters it.
That’s way too much pressure for your business. Find a niche and build your product based on that. There are snacks for vegans, children, athletes, and the elderly. The list goes on and on. Choosing a specific market makes it easier to design and perfect the snack for consumers.
Secure Your Design
After you’ve determined your target demographic, it’s time to start thinking about logistics. You know the market you want to hit, so you need to figure out what designs you will incorporate to gain consumer attention.
During this phase, you should also consider things like a manufacturing budget and brainstorm options that will give you more bang for your buck. For instance, find a way to package your product in the most cost-effective way and provide your clients with all they can eat. You might consider using flat-bottom box pouches on a trial run.
Locate a Kitchen
Now it’s time to start making the sausage, so to speak. First, you need a lab or kitchen. Start scoping out prime real estate locations for your product. A lot of beginners get started in their own kitchens to perfect the recipe. Over time, you will need a bigger space to accommodate your orders.
Your kitchen may not have all the equipment you need to package and perfect the snack. Converting a home kitchen into a commercial kitchen can get expensive. It makes more financial sense to find a licensed kitchen instead.
Food Handler Card
Lastly, you need a food handler card. There is no way around this one. The card is necessary for anyone handling food and demonstrates that you have a good understanding of food safety and sanitation practices.
This might be one of the easier steps you need to complete. Simply contact your local food and health department to learn more about the process. It might take some time to acquire your card, but nothing worth the wait is ever truly easy. Besides, this gives you even more time to perfect the recipe!
The snacking business is lucrative, and getting into it is a smart choice. Consider these things before taking the first steps, and you’ll be on the right track.
