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Starting a new line of food products for your business can take time. From researching the ingredients of your potential products to designing their packaging and labels, the whole process can be a lot to handle.
Fortunately, you can outsource some parts of the process to another company, including the production process of your food products! With the help of a private label food company, it becomes much easier to adapt your products based on the current demands of your customers. Not to mention, private labeling will also enable you to have more control over the production costs or profitability of your food products.
If you’re looking for a great food manufacturing company that can provide high-quality private label food products for your business, you might just find the right one in this hand-selected list of some of the best private label food companies right here in the United States.
What is a private label food company?
A private-label food company is a manufacturing company that can be hired to produce private-label food products for different retail brands. Private-label food companies produce various food and beverage products under their own recipe and then sell those products to other brands, typically retailers.
The products are then packaged and sold under the brand’s own label, such as how you see Target brands, Whole Foods brands, and Trader Joe’s brands.
What are private label food products?
Private-label food products are essentially the finished products of a private-label food manufacturer. They are normally produced using the manufacturer’s own food recipes or formulations.
As a brand, you can collaborate with a private-label food company to develop the components or precise ingredients of your private-label food products. You can also specify how your food products are labeled and packaged.
An example of a brand that benefits from private-label food products is Trader Joe’s. Trader Joe’s outsources most of its food products from different food manufacturers like PepsiCo and Snyder’s-Lance.
Private label vs. co-packing vs. co-manufacturing
Apart from private labeling, there are other available services that you should know about when it comes to product manufacturing. Depending on your current resources and plans as a business owner, you can also get finished food products through co-packing or co-manufacturing.
Understanding the clear differences between the three kinds of services will allow you to know which one would be the best option for you and your brand.
- Co-packing: It’s a type of packaging service that’s provided by co-packers. Unlike private labeling, which normally involves the production of products, co-packing specifically refers to processes such as bottling, canning, boxing, and other kinds of packaging services. Although co-packers mainly provide packaging services, they can also offer other related services such as package testing and safety, package designing, and shipping services.
- Co-manufacturing (contract manufacturing): This type of service occurs when a co-manufacturer is hired to manufacture the products of a brand or small business. If you’re trying to manufacture food products with your own food recipes or formulations, then maybe co-manufacturing is the type of service you need.
Co-manufacturing allows you to have more control and ownership potential over your food products. It’s important to note that some co-manufacturers can also be co-packers, so more often than not, you will see that the two terms are used interchangeably.
11 Great Private Label Food Companies in the U.S.
Whether you’re starting a new private label brand or looking for the next big product for your business, researching manufacturing firms can be a challenging task. Apart from checking product types, you will need to check and look over the certifications and capabilities of each private label food manufacturer you find.
You can use PartnerSlate to make the research process much easier. You can create a profile and detailed project with PartnerSlate today to find your best potential production partners.
To help you get started first, here are some great U.S. private label food companies that you should know about.
Betty Lou’s Inc
Betty Lou’s Inc. has been making healthy and delicious gluten-free snacks in the U.S. snack food industry for more than 42 years. The company produces various product lines, including different kinds of bars, protein shakes, and even CBD-infused products.
As a contract manufacturer, Betty Lou’s also offers R&D services to help brands create or improve their own food products.
Services:
- Private label manufacturing
- Contract manufacturing
- R&D services
- Contract Packaging (plastic, flow wrap, cartons)
- Retail
- Wholesale fulfillment
Product Types:
- Nutritional bars
- Bites and energy balls Fruit bars
- Candy bars
- Just Great Stuff bars
- Powdered peanut butter
- Baked goods (cookies, crackers, and other bites)
- Protein shakes
- Citrus-based CBD edibles
Speciality Product Capabilities:
- Organic
- Gluten-free
Location: 1500 NE Miller St., McMinnville, OR 97128
Blue Chip Group
If you’re looking for a large manufacturer in the dry food industry, The Blue Chip Group might just be the right partner for your business. The company provides numerous dry food manufacturing services, including product formulation, private labeling, and contract packaging.
The Blue Chip Group owns two brands and has more than 300 different products to offer. Augason Farms, one of the company’s brands, offers a wide variety of shelf-stable products, including baking mixes, eggs, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and many more.
Services:
- Private label manufacturing
- Contract manufacturing
- Contract packaging (cans, bottles, daypack pouches, and more)
- R&D services
- Custom product formulation
- Lab testing
- Sourcing
- Blending/Mixing
- Logistics
Product Types:
- Baking mixes (pancakes, biscuits, and bread)
- Beans and grains
- Breakfast mixes and pails
- Cereals and granolas
- Carbonated and non-carbonated beverages
- Beverages – Dry mixes
- eggs and dairy products
- Dry, dehydrated fruits & vegetables
- Hard candies
- Gummies
- Baking supplies (flours, malts, dry pastas, and doughs)
- Soups and entrees mixes
- Freeze-dried meat products
Speciality Product Capabilities:
- Kosher
- Gluten-free
- Organic
Location: 1911 S 3850 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84104
Canopy Foods
Canopy provides different private label manufacturing services such as ingredient sourcing, brand strategy, and distribution. Although Canopy is mainly focused on manufacturing sauces and spreads, they’re also fully committed to helping other brands develop new sauce recipes and concepts.
With Canopy as your strategic partner, you will be able to enhance how your customers experience your products.
Services:
- Private label manufacturing
- Contract manufacturing
- Contract packaging (glass bottles and jars)
- Ingredient sourcing
Packaging sourcing - Research and product development services
- Brand strategy
- Distribution and launch
Product Types:
- Dressings
- Salsa
- Marinades
- Curries
- Sauces
- Desserts
Speciality Product Capabilities:
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
Location: 454 Acorn Ln., Downingtown, PA 19335
Clean Copack BumbleBar
Clean Copack BumbleBar produces a variety of energy bars, granola, trail mixes, and private label protein products for entrepreneurs and established private label brands. As a firm advocate of ethical sourcing, Clean Copack gets its clean, high-quality ingredients from family-owned businesses as well as local farmers.
Whether you’re a startup company or a growing private label brand, Clean Copack will help you make the right protein product you’re looking for.
Services:
- Private label manufacturing
- Contract manufacturing
- Retail products
- Co-packing
- Wholesale applications
- Recipe scaling
- Consulting and certifications
- Onsite product testing
- Ingredient sourcing
Product Types:
- Superseed bites
- Protein and energy bars
- Granola bars
- Trail mixes
- Human-grade vegetarian pet treats
- Cookies
Speciality Product Capabilities:
- Gluten-free
- Organic
- Low-sugar
- Vegan
- Paleo
- Kosher
- Keto
Location: 3808 N Sullivan Rd., Suite 13M, Spokane Valley, WA 99216
Fantasy Cookie Co.
Founded in 1979, Fantasy Cookie Co. is a reliable contract and private label manufacturer of cookies and other kinds of snacks. With the use of its five commercial tunnel ovens, Fantasy Cookie Co. continues to provide quality products for its customers and partners.
Using their own R&D lab, Fantasy Cookie Co. is also focused on enhancing the food recipes of various private label brands.
Services:
- Private label manufacturing
- contract manufacturing
- Ingredient sourcing
- R&D services
- Contract packaging (club packaging, assortment packs, pouches, etc.)
Product Types:
- Cookies (wire cut, sandwich, rotary molded, co-extruded fruit-filled, kosher)
- Snacks
- Crackers
- Dry blends and ice cream inclusions
- Different types of bars (fruit-filled bars, baked bars)
- Cream sandwiches
Speciality Product Capabilities:
- Gluten-free
- Organic
- Low-sugar
- Kosher
Location: 12800 Arroyo Street, Sylmar, CA, 91342
Heartland Gourmet
If you’re trying to create another delicious product for your bakery brand, Heartland Gourmet has got you covered. The company specializes in dry blending, frozen doughs and ready-to-eat products.
Heartland Gourmet has had a proven track record of private labeling for clients for over 15 years. Equipped with an experienced development team and an excellent line of products, Heartland Gourmet will provide the recipes and manufacturing services you need for your new private label baked goods.
Services:
- Product rebranding
- New products R&D
- Recipe development
- Contract manufacturing
- Contract packaging
- Private label manufacturing
Product Types:
- Dry blend mix and foods
- Dry beverage mixes (such as cocoas and other drink mixes)
- Cookies and frozen baked goods, frozen and raw cookie doughs (both gluten-free and gluten-containing)
- Flour mixes, gourmet scone mixes, organic mixes, and doughs
- Pet goods (dog treat mixes)
- Crackers
Speciality Product Capabilities:
- Gluten-free
- Organic
Location: 5220 South 19th St., Lincoln, Nebraska 68512
Scott Brothers Dairy
Scott Brothers Dairy is a family-owned business that focuses on dairy products and beverages. As one of the most well-known managed creameries in the nation, Scott Brothers Dairy has always strived to exceed the expectations of its customers and partners.
With the use of consistent, high-quality ingredients and innovative technology, Scott Brothers Dairy has managed to provide the best dairy and non-dairy products to more than 54 countries.
Services:
- Private label manufacturing
- Food co-packing and manufacturing
- Creamery
- Fulfillment services
- Storage services (refrigerated, freezer)
- Ingredient sourcing
Product Types:
- Ice cream and soft serve mixes
- Sour cream and crema
- Milk
- Yogurt, frozen yogurt, and yogurt drinks
- Vegetable and fruit juices
- Non-dairy frozen desserts
- Non-carbonated beverages
- Frozen and dry-mix beverages
- Spirits
Speciality Product Capabilities:
- Kosher
- Gluten-Free
- Organic
- Halal
Location:
- (Creamery) 12006 East End Ave., Chino, California 91710
- (Farm) 18051 Gilman Springs Rd., Moreno Valley, CA 92555
Silver State Baking Company
Established in 2020, the Silver State Baking Company offers a wide range of high-quality baked goods, including cakes, crisps, cookies, and a lot more. Apart from their baked goods, the company is also capable of producing other food products such as powders, mixes, baked bars, and non-baked items.
As a private label manufacturer, the Silver State Baking Company is focused on providing quality control as well as product development for different private label brands.
Services:
- Private label manufacturing
- Contract manufacturing
- Ingredient sourcing
- Contract packaging
- Product development
- Research and development services
Product Types:
- Baked goods (cakes, cookies, crisps, etc.)
- Powders and mixes
- Baked bars
- Non-baked items
Speciality Product Capabilities: Not specified.
Location: 1856 E Pama Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89119
TruFoodMfg
TruFoodMfg is one of the leading US manufacturers of nutrition bars, chocolate, and granola. The company excels at providing standardized, quality services for middle-market brands. As a strategic partner, they offer a state-of-the-art R&D center as well as a set of efficient, automated production lines.
Services:
- Private label manufacturer
- Contract manufacturing
- Contract packaging
- Research & development
- Extrusion and slab forming
- Chocolate moulding and enrobing
- Baking
- Bagging
- Product delivery
- Regulatory reviews and staff
- Chemical, physical, microbiological and nutritional testing
- Quality assurance compliance and monitoring
Product Types:
- Nutrition and protein bars
- Chocolate products
- Baked granola products with nuts, chocolate, and fruit inclusions
- Cereal-based snack bars
- Other kinds of bars (such as chocolate-covered bars and fruit/nut snack bars)
Speciality Product Capabilities:
- Kosher
- Gluten-free
- Organic
- Halal
Location: Corporate Office 610 Alpha Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15238
West Coast Copacker
West Coast Copacker Inc. offers an excellent range of manufacturing services. With the help of their state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, and a team of in-house formulators, West Coast Copacker is able to provide your brand with many private label products, including sauces and spreads, CBD-infused products, honey products, and many more.
If you’re looking for a versatile manufacturer to efficiently scale your brand’s products, West Coast Copacker is definitely worth considering.
Services:
- Hot and cold filling
- Product R&D
- Ingredient sourcing & procurement
- In-house lab
- Product quality control
- Plastic and glass bottles, jars, sachets
- Contract manufacturing
- Contract packaging
- Private label manufacturing
- Small and large batches
- Costing analysis
- Nutritional paneling
- Regulatory and compliance assistance
- Product certifications
- FDA registrations
Product Types:
- Energy drinks
- Juices and lemonades
- Non-carbonated beverages
- Teas
- Still water
- Sauces and spreads (salsa, marinades, dressings, jams, dips, and hummus)
- Syrups and honey products
- CBD infused products
- Cocktail mixes
Speciality Product Capabilities:
- Organic
- Halal
- Gluten-free
Location: 2755 Commercial St., Suites 101-196, Salem, OR 97302
Water Lilies Food Inc.
As a leading manufacturer and distributor of Asian-inspired foods, Water Lilies Food Inc. has always strived to supply high-quality appetizers and entrees to many major retailers across the nation.
The company provides a wide variety of Asian gourmet specialty items, from buns and noodles to dumplings and other bite-sized appetizers. With their flexible production capabilities and drive to create Asian-inspired innovations, they can deliver the Asian-inspired food products that you want to have for your brand.
Services:
- Private label manufacturer
- Contract packaging
- Contract manufacturing
- Material sourcing
- Frozen or fully cooked foods
- Retail and bulk packaging
- Formula development
- Commercial trials
Product Types:
- Spring rolls and egg rolls
- Potstickers/dumplings
- Pork buns
- Sesame chicken and mandarin orange chicken
- Assorted tofu items
- Noodles
- A variety of bite-sized snacks
Speciality Product Capabilities: Not specified.
Location: 45-10 19th Ave., Astoria, NY, 11105
How to find the best private label manufacturer
There are quite a few steps to finding the best private label for your brand. (Want to skip them? Make your account on PartnerSlate today to streamline the way you discover and connect with manufacturers–without any exorbitant consulting fees.)
1. Research
You will need to carefully research each of your potential options online and consider the capabilities as well as the services of each private label manufacturer. Apart from that, you will want to know how they process and manufacture products, the main ingredients they use, their certifications, and a lot more.
You can typically find some details you need about the manufacturing firms through their websites, but many websites might not provide the information you’re looking for, and the process can be time-consuming.
2. Outreach
After you’ve found and researched some reliable manufacturing companies, the next step that you will need to take is to reach out to the manufacturers for more details. You will need to make sure if the private-label manufacturer you’re considering has the capabilities, interest, and availability to manufacture your products.
You can contact private label manufacturers through their online forms, emails, or telephone numbers. Since many of them get inbound requests from various retail brands frequently, there’s no guarantee that you’ll get a response from the first or second manufacturer you get in touch with.
3. Get support to find the best private label company for your brand
Researching and reaching out to private-label manufacturers can be difficult to do, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the whole engagement process. Not to mention, it can take months or even years for you to find the right manufacturing firm to work with.
With PartnerSlate, you can make the engagement process between your brand and potential production partners much easier. As a leading discovery and connection platform, we know that comparing multiple manufacturing companies isn’t exactly a process that can be done quickly.
That’s why we use a matching process that will enable you to find the most suitable private label companies for your brand. With the use of our extensive network of food manufacturers and user-friendly online platform, you can spend more time handling the other important aspects of your brand.
More About Private Label Food Manufacturers
Private label food companies for…
Although we’ve already listed some of the best private label food companies we know in this post, there are certainly other great private label food manufacturing companies out there for you to choose from.
To help you narrow down your options, we’ve come up with a few specific lists for you to look at, just in case you haven’t found the right one for your brand.
Private label food manufacturers for cereal?
Here are some private-label cereal manufacturers that you should know about:
- BCG Manufacturing
- Cermount
- Creative Werks
- Fresca Foods
- Glanbia Nutritionals
Private label food manufacturers for frozen foods?
Here are some private label frozen food manufacturers that you should know about:
- Hearthside
- Ready Foods
- Request Foods
- Heartland Gourmet
- Maryland Packaging
Private label food manufacturers for beverages?
Here are some other private label beverage manufacturers that you should know about:
- Nor-Cal Beverage Co.
- Blue Marble Productions
- Boombox Beverage
- California Natural Products
- Carolina Beverage Group
If you’re interested in hiring a private label beverage manufacturer, make sure to visit this post for more details.
Private label food brand examples
“Does private labeling really work?” That’s probably one of the questions you have as a business owner. Fortunately, private labeling can actually work for your business! Famous retailers don’t heavily advertise their private label food brands, but they do exist and help generate additional profits.
Here are some private label food brand examples:
- Archer Farms (Target)
- 365 (Whole Foods)
- Trader Joe’s
- Kroger
- Great Value (Wal-Mart)
Is it legal to private label products?
Yes, it’s absolutely legal to private label products!
What are the largest private label food manufacturers?
The U.S. private-label industry has shown gradual growth over recent years. The market share of private-label food and beverage brands was more than 19% in 2020.
One of the largest private label food manufacturers you might already know about is Tyson Foods, a well-known private label lunch meat provider in the retail market.
Other examples of large private label food manufacturers include General Mills, TreeHouse Foods, Shearer’s Foods, and Teasdale Foods.
Still, bigger doesn’t always mean better. It’s about what food or beverage product you need to create.
Conclusion: What is the best private label company in the United States?
When it comes to private label manufacturing, there’s really no such thing as the “best” company to consider. In fact, depending on the products you want to sell with your brand, you can work with almost any of the top manufacturers that are on this list–or others!
There are plenty of other private label food manufacturers out there that you can view on the PartnerSlate platform. Using our advanced matching services and easy-to-use platform, you will be able to lower the time it takes for your brand to get a production running! Get started with PartnerSlate today to easily discover the manufacturing companies that best fit your brand’s needs!
