Setting Up For Success

If you are ready to take the plunge and start making your product commercially, having expert food safety and production management advice is key. Saving you valuable time and money, support from our Technical Team will speed up the process and give you the confidence to get your product out into the market. 

Our Technical Team have created the Startup Package to ensure you have all the one-to-one and professional development support you need to get off to a great start. The package includes the following:

Typically, your support will start with a welcome call. The purpose of the call is to get to know you and your business aspirations. By getting an understanding of what you are aiming to do, we can sign post you to organizations within your area that can provide broader business support. For example, support with budgeting, marketing and developing your team.

Technical support generally starts with a visit to your production site by one of our experienced Technical Managers. The visit will give them an opportunity to get to know you and your product, and assess your production facility.  Typically, the site visit will take half a day and include: 

• A full inspection of your premises and include critical guidance regarding food safety compliance, fit out and security.

• A review of your planned or actual production facilities and will include invaluable advice on all aspects of production including efficiency, layout, scalability, and food safety considerations. 

•  A product review including expert advice on the viability and safety of your product. This is particularly important in relation to shelf-life, storage, and packaging. 

• An assessment of your existing knowledge and skills and recommendations for additional professional development.

12-Month Business Membership

 Our Business Membership will provide you with the on-going support you need across your first 12-months. Membership includes the following benefits: 

• Fortnightly drop-in sessions with the Technical Team 

• Quick query email support from the Technical Team 

• Access to our comprehensive programme of skills development workshops for you and your team. 

• Unlimited access to our online course portfolio for you and your team. 

• Access to our Knowledge Bank of food safety, production, and compliance guides 

• 15% discount on all Food and Drink Forum commercial services including additional site visits and one to one support from the Technical Team, test kitchen facilities at Food Works SW and product development support services. 

Find out more about our Business Membership.

As a food or drink business owner you are legally responsible for having a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan in place. Our Technical Manager will help ensure you get your HACCP properly established, providing you with a sound foundation for growing your business. The needs of each business and their products will differ, which means the nature of the support the Technical Manager provides can differ, but typically it will include the following: 

• All the tools and templates you will need to complete your HACCP. 

• Assistance with identifying the hazards and risks associated with your product and method of production. 

• Assistance with understanding the elements of your Pre-requisite Programme. 

• Assistance with identifying your Critical Control Points and how you would manage them. 

• Review your completed HACCP plan with feedback and recommendations as appropriate. 

• Access for you and any members of your team to our comprehensive range of HACCP workshops, online learning, and guides. 

• Access to 12 months on-going HACCP advice and support

Typically, HACCP plan support will include a half day site visit which can be carried out on the same day as the initial half day site visit.

Flexible additional support

The Startup Package includes an additional two hours of technical support which you can elect to use for whatever support is the most appropriate for your needs.
For example:

• Support with calculating the nutritional value of your product. 

• Checking your product labels are accurate and meet legal requirements. 

• Product development advice including understanding how to use functional ingredients to ensure your product remains stable and in top condition for the entirety of its shelf-life.