A few big things have happened since “Good Food, Great Business” was published. Bookmark this page for ongoing updates. Last updated in June 2024:
Major Changes Related to Selling Your Food
Amazon acquiring Whole Foods has changed the game for how and which food producers can sell to Whole Foods and how their buying process works. (Amazon has its own Supplier application process.)
Online wholesale food marketplace Buyer’s Best Friend is out of business.
Online wholesale marketplaces that are most popular for small brands to sell to retails include:
Also…
- If you want to sell to co-op markets, check out the national association.
- The association of independent grocery stores is a useful resource too.
E-commerce software such as Square and Shopify has matured, making it easier to sell online and connect online stores with social media.
Interesting Way to Sample
Watch Amazon Fresh and Groceries & Gourmet Food closely for new opportunities to sample and sell as well as distribute food locally and afar.
Affordable Trade Show for Small Food Producers to Reach Retail Buyers
The Good Food Awards was new when I wrote Good Food, Great Business. Now their Good Food Mercantiles take place in several cities during the year — usually San Francisco, New York and Portland.
Buyers from popular independent specialty food stores as well as buyers from larger chain grocers make a point to visit the Good Food Mercantiles to discover new foods for their stores.
The San Francisco and New York shows are timed to happen in the same timeframe as the Fancy Food Shows.
Also be sure to check with your state’s food entrepreneurship programs to see if there is an opportunity to participate in the Fancy Food or National Food Expo shows more affordably than on your own.
The Social Media Landscape Has Evolved
Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and others have made it easier than ever to build audiences and sell online.
Pinterest also remains a great way to be found in search results.
A Bunch of Food Startups Featured in the Book Got Acquired
Just a few of the acquired food companies, whose stories you read about in the book, include:
Justin’s Nut Butter, Droga Confections, Blue Bottle Coffee, Hiball, Mary’s Gone Crackers, and Attune Foods.
Others have grown and grown. Tessemae’s is especially fun to check out.
And Many Companies Have Shut Down
Several artisan food sellers run by solo entrepreneurs shut down for various reasons, most often that the founder decided to do something else!
But again, the most important changes in how important selling on Amazon has become for many companies and to plan your distribution strategy carefully.
