DISCUSSION FORUM TOPICS:
>THE "INS" AND "OUTS" OF PRODUCT SHELF LIFE
>MINI-CASE STUDY
>THE IMPORTANCE OF A STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
=====
THE SKINNY ON SHELF- LIFE
Helpful commentary by Nirvana in a Cup author, and founder of Oregon Chai, Tedde McMillen
"An essential step in marketing specialty foods is to determine how long your product will last before it goes bad, starts to taste funny or molds. This is called the SHELF-LIFE of your product or the USE BY date.
Determine the shelf-life of your product by making a large batch. You will want enough for several tests: Days, weeks, months or maybe even a year."
========
MINI-CASE STUDY - SUKHI'S INDIAN FOOD
Product profile - A line of Indian foods marketed as "Quick-N-Ezee" Indian Foods and consists of approximately one half dry and one half frozen foods that are palate pleasing and have an excellent flavor profile. Extensive farmers' market sales and Food Service are the basis of the firm's revenue generation.
Success definition - Success is having a going business with your kids involved.
Time to get there - 2-4 years.
Investment required - Uncertain.
Vision - To have a family-owned business located everywhere and to be carried by Wegmans Food Markets.
========
ESTABLISHING A STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR YOUR ENTERPRISE
Need help with your business plan?
I have been guiding specialty food entrepreneurs in preparing effective strategic business plans for the past twenty years.
As the saying goes: "To fail to plan is to plan to fail." You will need a thorough business plan if you expect to attract investors. I can help. Contact me for specifics and fees.
You can see one of the model outlines I use here.
---------------------------------------------------------
Our Discussion Forum is your means of connecting with other specialty food entrepreneurs. Anyone interested in asking questions and getting answers about specialty food marketing is invited to click through. FE responds to all inquiries.
