PartnerSlate

9+ Great Food Manufacturers in Colorado [2023]

Matt Suggs

Colorado is home to a vibrant and diverse food manufacturing industry. From craft breweries to artisanal cheese makers, the Centennial State boasts a rich food and agriculture culture that attracts culinary entrepreneurs from all over the world. For food brands looking to start or scale their production in Colorado, this is great news. 

But, finding the right food manufacturing partner can be tedious and time-consuming. This article will review a few of the top food manufacturers in Colorado to kick-start your research. With the right manufacturer, you can start getting your high-quality and innovative food products to market in no time. 

Top Food Manufacturers in Colorado

While these are some great food manufacturers in Colorado, they are by no means your only options. In fact, sometimes the number of great co-mans in Colorado can feel overwhelming. 

The easiest and fastest way to find the right partner is through PartnerSlate’s Project Marketplace.. You can create a detailed project and post it anonymously to the marketplace where qualified manufacturers with the right capabilities can come and show interest in your project. PartnerSlate will then get you connected directly and streamline the onboarding, communication, and document sharing so you can get started right away. Much better than weeks and months of cold calling and research, right? 

You can get started with PartnerSlate right now. 

If you’d rather continue your research, keep reading:

1. Colorado Quality Foods

colorado foods logo

Colorado Quality Foods (CQF) is a natural foods manufacturing, packaging, R&D, and eCommerce company with a team of trained chefs, food and process certification experts, and more. They provide a full-service, turnkey solution to customers from ingredient procurement to fulfillment. CQF works with startups launching new products, as well as larger, more established brands looking to expand their production capabilities.

As a dedicated peanut-free, gluten-free facility, they ensure their products meet all of your customer’s dietary needs. 

Services:

  • Contract manufacturing
  • Co-packing
  • Private label manufacturing 
  • Turnkey solutions
  • Ingredient sourcing
  • Ecommerce fulfillment
  • Wholesale fulfillment
  • Warehousing
  • Packaging with bottles, jars, cans, tubs and tins, pouches, cups, pouches, bags, trays, bowls, and cartons
  • Hot and cold filling
  • Baking and frying capabilities 
  • Dry blending 
  • Extruding
  • Kettle cooking
  • Refrigerated, freezer, and dry storage
  • Research and development
  • Fulfillment services
  • Product formulation and reformulation
  • Packaging sourcing
  • Repacking

Product Types:

  • Non-carbonated beverages
  • Dry-mix beverages
  • Coffee
  • Tea
  • Baked confections: fresh or frozen baked goods, cookies, flour mixes, dough
  • Frozen baked goods
  • Sauces and spreads: sauces, dressings, salsas, marinades, jams, dips, hummus, syrups
  • Dry seasonings: spices and extracts
  • Snack foods: bars, chips, crackers
  • Plant-based products: fresh or frozen meat alternatives, non-dairy beverages
  • CBD and THC-infused products
  • Appetizers and entrees: soups, broths, chili
  • Vitamins and supplements: liquid, powder

Speciality Product Capabilities: 

  • Nut free
  • Gluten-free
  • Organic
  • Kosher

Location: 4220 Carson St, STE 102, Denver, CO, 80239

Learn More

2. Culinaire Foods

culinaire logo

Culinaire Foods is a food manufacturing company based in Colorado that produces various high-quality frozen food products. Their mission is to remain dedicated to building a unique portfolio of food products with a focus on selection, market trends, food safety, quality, innovation, and value. Known for its customized products that meet the specific needs of its clients, Culinaire Foods caters to small to large operations.

Services:

  • Contract manufacturing
  • Co-packing
  • Private label manufacturing
  • Wholesale manufacturing
  • Equipment with bake, roast, sauté, slow cook, deep fry, char, grill, and sear capabilities
  • Rheon coextrusion
  • Anko machinery
  • Temperature control
  • Product development
  • Distribution
  • Custom frozen food manufacturing
  • Food safety and quality management

Product Types:

  • Prepared entrees 
  • Grab-and-go and handhelds
  • Side dishes
  • Complete meals
  • All-natural dishes
  • Desserts
  • Sandwiches
  • Wraps 
  • Salads
  • Pot pies and wellingtons
  • Schnitzel
  • Chicken breast
  • Pupusas
  • Rolls
  • Arancini
  • Latkes
  • Kugels
  • Savory cakes
  • Roasted vegetables
  • Baked and twice-baked potatoes
  • Pasta dishes

Speciality Product Capabilities: Non-meat items

Location: 1111 W. Exposition Ave., Denver, CO, 80223

Learn More

3. Fresca Foods

Fresca foods logo

Fresca Foods is a leading co-manufacturing partner in the natural & organic space. The company works with established brands, creating high-quality products using natural and sustainable ingredients. They provide end-to-end solutions for the development, production, and distribution of innovative food products.

With a focus on culinary creativity and industry expertise, Fresca Foods has established itself as a leader in the natural foods market.

Services:

  • Contract manufacturing
  • Private label manufacturing
  • Recipe development
  • Product development
  • Packaging design
  • Supply chain management
  • Research and development
  • Formulation and commercialization of new products
  • Brand renovations
  • Line extensions
  • Cold-form extrusion
  • Extruding
  • Baking
  • Cold filling
  • 100% wind-powered plants
  • Custom manufacturing
  • Dry, freezer, and refrigerated storage
  • Turnkey solutions
  • Ingredient sourcing
  • Packaging sourcing
  • Packaging with jars, pouches, bags, trays, cartons, bag-in-box

Product Types:

  • Cereals
  • Granola
  • Nut butter
  • Cookies
  • Flour mixes and doughs
  • Nut Butter
  • Bars
  • Nuts and mixes

Speciality Product Capabilities: 

  • Kosher
  • Gluten-free
  • Organic
  • Vegan
  • Paleo
  • Dairy-free
  • Soy-free

Location: 195 CTC Blvd., Louisville, CO, 80027

Learn More

4. The Kitchen Coop

kitcheen coop logo

The Kitchen Coop is a manufacturing company that specializes in co-packing and food production services. Established in 2013, the company provides commercial kitchen facilities and expertise to small-scale food businesses and entrepreneurs, helping them bring their product ideas to market. They are committed to using high-quality ingredients and sustainable production practices to create innovative and delicious food products for their clients. 

The Kitchen Coop takes pride in their transparent approach to serving their clients and customers in the making of healthy snacks and treats.

Services:

  • Contract manufacturing
  • Co-packing
  • Private label manufacturing 
  • Recipe development
  • Labeling
  • Refrigerated and freezer storage
  • Allergen control and testing 
  • Material sourcing 
  • Inventory management
  • Cost modeling
  • Roosting process
  • Fulfillment
  • Sales development 
  • Process development
  • Cost optimization

Product Types:

  • Cookies
  • Bread products
  • Frozen baked goods
  • Flour mixes and dough
  • Jams, hummus, dips, syrups, nut butter
  • Marinades
  • Snack bars
  • Crackers
  • Nuts and mixes

Speciality Product Capabilities: 

  • Kosher
  • Gluten-free
  • Organic

Location: 8835 West 116th Circle, Broomfield, CO 80021

Learn More

5. Landmark Foods

landmark foods logo

Landmark Foods is an FDA-inspected and certified organic co-packing facility. They specialize in a large variety of food packaging, beverage bottling, and bottling or packaging of other consumables. Their clients range in size from start-up organizations to established companies with a significant market presence. Landmark Foods has modern high-speed equipment meant to add value to its clients and their manufacturing needs.

Services:

  • Contract manufacturing
  • Co-packing
  • Private label manufacturing
  • Modern high-speed equipment for food processing and bottling
  • Research and development team
  • Dry mixing and blending
  • Bottling with plastic, glass, or metal containers
  • Packaging in tubs, heat seal pouches, jars, etc.
  • Dry, freezer, and refrigerated storage
  • Turnkey solutions
  • Ingredient sourcing

Product Types:

  • Carbonated and non-carbonated beverages such as lemonade, sports drinks, vitamin water, cocktail mixers, tea, fruit juices, chai, CBD beverages
  • Honey
  • Oils such as coconut oil, chili oil, and bath oils
  • Protein and sports powders
  • Cocoa and cacao
  • Loose-leaf tea and tea blends
  • Single herbs and herb blends
  • Fresh and dehydrated fruits and vegetables
  • Chia seed
  • Single spices and spice blends
  • Extracts
  • Nuts and mixes
  • Creamers
  • Cake mix
  • Pancake mix
  • Collagen
  • Nut butter
  • Cereal
  • Granola
  • Hummus
  • Canine supplements 
  • Hemp hearts
  • Pickles
  • Oatmeal
  • Syrup
  • Agave nectar
  • Dressings
  • Salsas
  • Marinades

Speciality Product Capabilities: Organic

Location: 6779 S. Queen Rd, Littleton, CO, 80127

Learn More

6. Motherlode Co-Packing

motherlod co-packing logo

Motherlode Co-Packing is a manufacturing company that offers co-packing and production services for food and beverage businesses. They provide state-of-the-art equipment and an experienced staff to help clients bring their product ideas to life. With a commitment to quality and efficiency, Motherlode Co-Packing is a trusted partner for businesses looking to scale their production capabilities whether that is bringing your recipe from the kitchen to the world stage, or an existing brand looking for a partner to grow with. 

Services:

  • Contract manufacturing
  • Private label manufacturing
  • Co-packing
  • Custom blending
  • Filling
  • Packaging with glass, plastic, and pouch options
  • Label design
  • Sourcing
  • Recipe development
  • Flavor sampling
  • Shelf life consulting

Product Types:

  • Bottled sauces
  • Condiments
  • Syrups
  • Drink mixes
  • Marinades
  • Dressings

Speciality Product Capabilities: 

  • Gluten-free

Location: 400 Main St., Hudson, CO 80642

Learn More

7. Ready Foods Inc.

Ready Foods logo

Ready Foods Inc. is a family-owned company providing custom food solutions for the past 50 years. Their specialty is kettle-cooked foods like soups, sauces, beans, pasta, and more. The company serves a wide range of customers, from large restaurant chains to smaller independent food service providers. Ready Food Inc.’s experienced team of chefs and food scientists works to create innovative new products and flavors in their multi-facility production footprint. 

Services:

  • Contract manufacturing
  • Co-packing
  • Research and development
  • Quality assurance
  • Food science tools
  • Pouch packaging
  • Glass free facility
  • Lean manufacturing
  • Frozen, refrigerated, and dry storage
  • Kettle cooking

Product Types:

  • Cheese sauces
  • Chile
  • Pasta, rice, and vegetables
  • Soups
  • Fully-cooked beef products
  • Plant-based meat alternatives
  • Salsa
  • Dressings
  • Marinades
  • Sauces
  • Beans
  • Soups
  • Fillings
  • Cereal
  • Granola
  • Frozen fruits and vegetables

Speciality Product Capabilities: 

  • Any allergen-free products upon client request

Location: 2645 W 7th Ave, Denver CO

Learn More

8. Rocky Mountain Foods

rmf logo

Rocky Mountain Foods has been roasting, mixing, packaging, and marketing snacks for over 20 years. Working with all sizes of companies, they will help invent, design, source, and supply your products to market. They pride themselves on providing organic ingredients as they partner with several local and national organic conventional grocers and convenience retailers. 

Services:

  • Contract manufacturing
  • Co-packing
  • Private label manufacturing
  • Turnkey solutions
  • Ingredient sourcing
  • Research and development
  • Branding
  • Custom packaging and labels
  • Roasting and mixing
  • Quality assurance
  • Marketing

Product Types:

  • Trail mixes
  • Dried fruits
  • Sesame sticks
  • Sunflower kernels
  • Raw ingredients

Speciality Product Capabilities: 

  • Organic
  • Kosher
  • Gluten-free

Location: 13105 E 38th Avenue Unit 30, Denver, CO 80239

Learn More

9. Yumbana

yumbana logo

Yumbana is a manufacturing company that focuses on creating healthy and sustainable food products. They specialize in gluten-free products for their own brand as well as many others, making them an ideal partner for health-conscious manufacturers. Yumbana also supports sustainable agriculture practices by sourcing ingredients from local and organic farmers whenever possible. 

With a commitment to delicious, nutritious, and eco-friendly snacks, Yumbana is a growing force in the food industry. 

Services:

  • Contract manufacturing
  • Private label manufacturing
  • Co-packing
  • Depositing and extrusion
  • Baking
  • Dry and frozen storage
  • Packaging in pouches, plastic bags, flowrapping, and cartons
  • Labeling
  • Manufacturing consultation
  • Scale-up and commercialization
  • Nutritional panel
  • Fulfillment
  • Bulk pre-blending
  • Batch baked and unbaked products

Product Types:

  • Bars
  • Breads
  • Mini cakes
  • Full cakes
  • Cookies
  • Cookie Dough
  • Donuts
  • Muffins
  • Pies
  • Rolls and crusts
  • Holiday cookies (seasonal)

Speciality Product Capabilities: 

  • Gluten free
  • Soy-free
  • Peanut-free

Location: 651 Topeka Way Ste 500, Castle Rock, CO 80109

Learn More

Food Manufacturers in Colorado for Small-Batch Products

Food manufacturing display

What is a Low MOQ Product? 

MOQ, or minimum order quantity, is the minimum number of units or products that a manufacturer is willing to sell to a customer in a single order. A low MOQ product refers to a relatively small minimum order quantity, typically less than the standard quantity required by the supplier. Low MOQs can be beneficial for small businesses or startups that need to manage their inventory and cash flow carefully.

Low MOQ products may be offered by suppliers or manufacturers who specialize in producing small quantities or custom products or by those who are willing to accommodate the needs of smaller businesses. Some suppliers may charge higher prices for low MOQ products to offset the costs of producing smaller quantities. So, it is important to find a manufacturer that is willing to work with smaller businesses and low MOQs.

How to Find a Colorado Food Manufacturer for Low-Volume Products 

Many of the companies previously listed work with startups and smaller businesses as they are small themselves. Before reaching out to those companies to see if they will work for your business, you can work with PartnerSlate to find exactly what you need. PartnerSlate’s matching platform will pair you with a partner that works specifically with the production run size you’re looking for, whether it’s at the level of: 

  • Startup (Less than 25,000 units)
  • Small (25,000-100,000 units)
  • Medium (100,000-1,000,000 units)
  • Large (1,000,000+ units)

Best Colorado Food Manufacturers to Work With as a Startup

Here is a list of companies from this article that work with startup-size production runs:

  • Colorado Quality Foods
  • Ready Foods Inc.
  • Landmark Foods

As well as small production runs:

  • Culinaire Foods
  • Oogies Snacks
  • Rocky Mountain Foods

More About Food Manufacturing in Colorado

mugs and colorado mountain

What foods are manufactured in Colorado?

From this list alone, you will find there are meats, snacks like popcorn and chips, frozen meals, trail mixes, and more. While Colorado may not be as established a manufacturing state as the Rust Belt or the Southeast, its newness allows it to be unconstrained by tradition and innovative for all types of new up-and-coming products.

Top Denver-based Food Companies

  • Colorado Quality Foods
  • Culinaire Foods
  • Oogie’s Snacks
  • Ready Foods Inc.
  • Rocky Mountain Foods
  • Landmark Foods

Top Boulder-based Food Companies

  • Fresca Foods

Choose the Best Food Manufacturer in Colorado For Your Product

The food manufacturing industry in Colorado is diverse and each manufacturer offers a unique set of strengths and capabilities. Whether it is their experience in your product category, their production capacity, or their quality control processes, ensuring your co-man can meet your product needs is key to a successful food business. 

By working with PartnerSlate you can find the best food manufacturer in Colorado to bring your product to market. Partnering with the right manufacturer can help ensure the success of your product and the growth of your business. Sign up with PartnerSlate to find suitable manufacturers for you and your products today.