We Love Food: Packaging Chicago Startups

By Cris Lauer Aranda on February 14, 2014. Follow him on Google + and Twitter

A new business incubator was recently introduced to the Chicago suburb of Evanston, where Create It Packaging’s own Maggie Lawson gave a crash course on food packaging on February 10, 2014.

Here are some of the tips she gave to a group of ‘hungry’ food entrepreneurs at Now We’re Cookin’.

1. Identify your business assets.

• Competitive advantage
• Target market
• Ingredient Suppliers

2. Get a UPC code.

• GS1 is a popular provider, for example. Click here for more information.

3. Identify the best UPC Code.

• Size
• Color
• Price
• Design
• Scanning percentage

4. Consult regulatory guidelines of the NLEA (Nutrition Labeling and Education Act).

5. Identify the right packaging partner for your needs.

6. Get certified in food safety. Organizations like AIB and ISO can help.

Leave a comment below to receive the full slideshow presentation, or post your question about food packaging.

Click here to read more about food incubator opportunities at Now We’re Cookin’ in Crain’s Chicago Business.