Wholesale and private-label seasoning supplier

Independent grocers, butchers, delis, restaurants, meal-kit makers and other food businesses.

You sell cases or bulk bags at wholesale prices, with repeat orders from regular customers. Custom blends for private label clients can carry higher margins.

• Consistent recipe scaling and quality control
• Sourcing spices and managing supplier costs
• Pitching to buyers and managing accounts
• Record keeping and batch tracking

• A Safe Food for Canadians licence may be needed for some products, especially if you import ingredients or trade across provinces; check with CFIA
• Food safety plans, traceability and recall procedures expected by larger buyers
• Commercial general liability and product liability insurance, plus WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire
• Spice prices can swing, so check you can adjust your pricing
• Bilingual labelling and Quebec language rules if you sell there
• A few large customers can make up most of your sales, so spread the risk

Startup costs are typically around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on your kitchen or unit, equipment, ingredients and packaging. These are estimates, so get quotes before you commit to bulk purchases.

Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your number of accounts and batch sizes. A few large customers can make up most of your sales, so it helps to spread the risk.

A Safe Food for Canadians licence may be needed for some products, especially with imported ingredients or trade across provinces, so check with CFIA. Also check food safety plans, traceability, recall procedures, bilingual labelling and Quebec language rules.