Agri-food business
Whether you’re a small-scale producer with 2 products or have a commercial operation with 28 customer solutions, we can help you. Whether it’s for research and development focused on creativity and culinary aspects or for optimizing your production process that isn’t running smoothly: we are the reference. Through a working session about the creation of new product categories, a one-week assignment for the production of your new vegan corn dog or a 3-month project for the redesign of your product lines, we can transform your business.
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Agri-food business services
Here are some services we offer and customize based on your needs.
Research and development
- Efficient R&D outsourcing
- Food product development
- Standardization of new recipes
- Theoretical search for new products
- R&D business focused
Brand positioning
- Culinary strategy and identity
- Brand and product consistency
- Food offering consistency
Operations optimization
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Coaching in production equipment selection
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Coaching on the production process
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Production process optimization to improve profitability
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Supply standardization to improve profitability
- Optimize production processes
- Operational audit
- Production optimisation: scheduling and sequencing
- Operations and logistics optimisation
- Strategy for adding value to by-products and decommissioned products
Quality assurance and HACCP certification
- Implementation of a robust quality control structure
- Implementation of practical means for quality improvement
- Optimization of consistency in the quality of the finished product
- Production process standardization
- Support with HACCP and GFSI certification
- Preparation for audits and inspections
- Implementation of preventive control plans
- Staff training
- Support for improving management systems
- Recommendations, corrective measures, compliance plans
Business development
- New customer development
- Identification of accessible markets based on capabilities
- New product analysis based on production capacity
- Product lines profitability
- Strategic alignment and growth plan
- Optimizing company value before a sale
Case study
Agri-food business
The problem :
You run a profitable business specializing in the marketing and export of processed maple syrup products. Your R&D chef has been tasked to develop a new line of BBQ sauces for the US market. Samples are not rapidly developed, and your team is wondering what flavor profiles to recommend for the target markets. Your production team is wondering what type of cooking equipment to integrate into your existing production lines.
Upon arrival, we build on these initial observations and realign the desired positioning based on your target customers. An effective workshop with your marketing team identifies two customer sub-segments, redefining the scope of the project. We propose six new flavour profiles aligned with current market trends, along with preparation and cooking procedures that allow your team to begin conceptualizing the new production line.
We attend the presentation of the first prototype tasting and adjust the flavour profiles in collaboration with your formulation team. Within two weeks, your team finalizes prototypes that are refined enough to be presented to the key buyer at your most important customer, in order to gauge their interest.
During the production phase, we advise you on acquiring a rheometer to enable your quality control department to take objective viscosity measurements. Following a discussion with your VP of quality control, it becomes clear that we can also assist you achieve your GFSI certification, an initiative that had stalled and was preventing you to access to the coveted UK market.
You want to develop other products, but don’t know which product category to launch.
Your chef doesn’t have the tools to know if the sauce is sufficiently creamy.
Your production process is inconsistent and imprecise.
Your employees don’t understand the effect of the processes on the product.
Your R&D team lacks the capacity and senior experience required to develop innovative new products that align to your market.
The actions :
Food concept development
Efficient R&D
Standardization of the cooking process
Development of a viscosity control procedure
Selection of high-performance equipment
Assistance in achieving GFSI certification
The result :
We were brought in for a simple 15-hours R&D mandate. We left after having provided you with solid tools to enhance your production and certification processes. Your new line of sauces is a hit with your customers and has your shareholders excited. We part ways having agreed on a new mandate for the fall to standardize your maple meat marinades.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions.
How can an agri-food consultant help my business?
Foodgeek is an agile consulting firm that transforms food offerings, formulations, and business models to ensure long-term performance. Our interventions are tailored to your vision, operational reality, and resources.
Our services are tailored to your needs, and we can support you at various stages of your project.
- Ideation, concept development, and business planning
- Production line design and facility layout
- Equipment selection
- Choice
- Product development and formulation
- Outsourced research and development (R&D)
- Operations and continuous optimization
Our rare combination of strategic vision, culinary creativity, and operational rigor sets us apart. We accelerate your company’s culinary appeal and operational efficiency.
How can artisanal food products be stabilized for market distribution?
Stabilizing an artisanal food product means ensuring microbiological safety, shelf life, and consistent quality so it can be legally sold and safely consumed. Stabilization involves both the process (cooking, pH, Aw) and packaging and storage conditions.
In general, critical parameters are analyzed: acidity (pH), water activity (Aw), processing temperature, and preservation methods (pasteurization, fermentation, freezing, etc.). Next, shelf life and microbiological tests are conducted to validate stability.
Every product requires a tailored strategy. . It is important to integrate a scientific approach from the development stage, rather than after the fact, in order to avoid costly reformulations.
The market launch process generally involves the following steps:
- Market and positioning analysis
- Recipe development (R&D)
- Technical stabilization and validation
- Microbiological and shelf-life testing
- Packaging development and nutritional labeling
- Supplier selection and production model design
- Commercialization and marketing
How to obtain HACCP certification or a preventive control plan?
HACCP certification and preventive control plans (PCPs) demonstrate that your products are manufactured in a safe and controlled manner. They are sometimes required by the CFIA or by the end customer. Whether for export or for manufacturers wishing to work with large distribution chains, obtaining these certifications requires more than simply writing a procedure manual. They aim to structure all your processes, identify hazards, and implement prevention and monitoring measures to ensure regulatory compliance and strengthen consumer confidence.
Since the federal reform, Canadian companies are often required to establish a preventive control plan (PCP) for the export or import of food or raw materials. This approach is based on HACCP principles, but adapted to the regulatory framework of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). This involves more extensive documentation covering safety, traceability, contamination prevention, and prerequisite programs. A company can implement a preventive system without necessarily aiming for full certification from the outset. The important thing is to adopt a structured and documented approach that protects the company, the product, and the consumer.
We support you in your compliance assessment, the implementation of prerequisite programs (PRPs), the development and implementation of the HACCP or PCP plan, and the external audit by an accredited body. We combine scientific rigor, field experience, and a proven ability to transform complex regulatory requirements into concrete, effective, and sustainable approaches.
Do you provide support for new product development (R&D)?
Foodgeek conceptualizes, prototypes, tests, and formulates new products for agri-food companies with the goal of a successful market launch. We combine a culinary-driven approach rooted in deep knowledge of cooking and food culture with a scientific mindset grounded in food science and technology. We understand the regulatory constraints, approved ingredients, and processing aids for organic, natural, and more specialized certifications, as well as their viable alternatives. We know how to balance performance with strict product specifications. Simply put, we are food geeks.