Awesome tools for keeping you informed for the recalls!
2010-12-03
Green Earth Natural Foods.... and their decision
Disappointed, very disappointed that Green Earth Natural Foods decided to drop our products after they run out this batch of inventory.
There were a lot of requests for the products in the World Veg Fest and Green Festival, and I wonder what is the purchasing/decision factor? Is it the location, the price, the products, the experience, the purpose, or the emotional attachment, or all of the above?
After running out of this batch, I hope there will be more people requesting so they will considering carrying again; and in the meantime, we will do more marketing to promote the products to the public too.
There were a lot of requests for the products in the World Veg Fest and Green Festival, and I wonder what is the purchasing/decision factor? Is it the location, the price, the products, the experience, the purpose, or the emotional attachment, or all of the above?
After running out of this batch, I hope there will be more people requesting so they will considering carrying again; and in the meantime, we will do more marketing to promote the products to the public too.
Dealing with factory or distributors.
1. Must have an agreement which lists out all the terms & conditions. Always go back to the agreement if the factory comes up with some ridiculous comments
2. Must have an agreement.
3. Speak the same language so you can negotiate better.
4. If it's not that big of a deal, accept it and make it sounds like you are doing a big favor.
5. Always have a backup plan.
6. Be polite and courteous, yet firm in your request.
I know these all sounds common sense, yet I hope I will always remember this and can be advisory for others who consider working with a third party factory.
Good luck!
2. Must have an agreement.
3. Speak the same language so you can negotiate better.
4. If it's not that big of a deal, accept it and make it sounds like you are doing a big favor.
5. Always have a backup plan.
6. Be polite and courteous, yet firm in your request.
I know these all sounds common sense, yet I hope I will always remember this and can be advisory for others who consider working with a third party factory.
Good luck!
2010-12-02
Did I mention Whole Foods?
Say yes to Whole Foods because we are coming!
Visit the following stores to get ecoVegan products! And, do tell your local grocer that you want to see ecoVegan products available at their store with the ecoVegan product request form (we had first one happening yesterday) :)
Visit the following stores to get ecoVegan products! And, do tell your local grocer that you want to see ecoVegan products available at their store with the ecoVegan product request form (we had first one happening yesterday) :)
Berkeley
Whole Foods Market
3000 Telegraph Ave.
Berkeley CA 94705
Cupertino (coming second week of Dec)
Whole Foods Market
20955 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Cupertino CA 95014
Los Altos (coming second week of Dec)
Whole Foods Market
4800 El Camino Real
Los Altos CA 94022
San Jose
Whole Foods Market
1146 Blossom Hill Rd.
San Jose CA 95118
San Mateo (coming second week of Dec)
Whole Foods Market
1010 Park Place
San Mateo CA 94403
San Rafael
Whole Foods Market
340 Third St.
San Rafael, CA 94901
Walnut Creek (coming second week of Dec)
Whole Foods Market
1333 Newell Ave.
Walnut Creek CA 94596
Is there something missing?? Yes, the San Francisco one! We are located in San Francisco and we are not yet in any of the stores? It will be coming soon!
FDA inspection
It was a surprise visit for the FDA inspection today and I am glad that here at ecoVegan we are well prepared and have our actions together.
If you are also in the food business and/or considering starting-up, here are a couple things I would recommend:
1. Get all the certifications/permits/license required in the very beginning. If you are not sure, a business plan is the best way to start because it will force you to look for the requirements (permits/license/certification) needed to operate a business. Tips: Score or SBA.
2. When dealing anything with food (either manufacturer, pack, repack, warehouse,etc), be sure to register for FDA. And trust me, they (and the State of CA Department of Public Health) will come and visit.
3. Always keep a log and record of what was done, whom you spoke to, and the conversation or the action. And have someone detail orientated to maintain the record.
4. Follow the rules/regulation/guidance/recommendation per the industry. Tips: FDA Guidance Documents.
5. Insurance, insurance, insurance! Even though it should have always been covered in the business plan, never forget insurance.
There are definitely more, but for now, after the FDA visits, that's all I can think about!
If you are also in the food business and/or considering starting-up, here are a couple things I would recommend:
1. Get all the certifications/permits/license required in the very beginning. If you are not sure, a business plan is the best way to start because it will force you to look for the requirements (permits/license/certification) needed to operate a business. Tips: Score or SBA.
2. When dealing anything with food (either manufacturer, pack, repack, warehouse,etc), be sure to register for FDA. And trust me, they (and the State of CA Department of Public Health) will come and visit.
3. Always keep a log and record of what was done, whom you spoke to, and the conversation or the action. And have someone detail orientated to maintain the record.
4. Follow the rules/regulation/guidance/recommendation per the industry. Tips: FDA Guidance Documents.
5. Insurance, insurance, insurance! Even though it should have always been covered in the business plan, never forget insurance.
There are definitely more, but for now, after the FDA visits, that's all I can think about!
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