Co-Packing Services
We are a full service contract packer (co-packer) ready to process your food product from start to finish. We can take your ingredients and recipe and turn them into a finished, resale-ready product. Our co-packing services work well for everyone from farmers with an abundance of produce in the summer to food entrepreneurs looking to scale up production.
If your schedule prevents you from taking the time to process your own product at the Prince Edward Cannery and Commercial Kitchen, or you just want to have a great food product without all of the manufacturing stress, we are available to help. Drop off your produce to us and we will return it processed, labeled and ready to go to market!
Our hourly rate includes experienced staff members, facility rental, bulk food processing equipment, product liability insurance, sanitation supplies, pH testing, Better Process Control School certified staff, batch coding of products and our staff’s assurance of regulatory compliance with FDA and VDACS. Hourly rates differ depending on the number of Virginia Food Works’ staff members needed for production. There is a 4-hour minimum to book our services. Ingredients, jars, lids, and labels are paid for separately. Additional charges may apply for overtime, delivery receiving, ordering additional ingredients, and other services. Contact us for a full schedule of rates.
Clients may work alongside VFW employees to make their food product. Bringing multiple people to help with production can be a good way to keep costs of production down. Also, participating in a large production batch is a fascinating day for all involved!
Co-packing with pre-approved recipes
Many farmers have an abundance of produce during the season, but don’t have the time to develop their own recipe. We have a range of pre-approved recipes that can transform that glut into a shelf-stable product that can be sold year-round! VFW even offers cold storage to preserve your produce until you are ready to process it. Our pre-approved recipes include:
- Applesauce and Apple Butter (plain and flavored)
- Fruit Jams, Jellies, and Preserves (plain and flavored)
- Mushroom Garlic Vinaigrette
- Fruit Syrups or Toppings (plain and flavored)
- Salsas
- Pasta and Marinara Sauce
- Tomato Soup
- Pepper Jelly
- Pizza Sauce
- Peaches in Syrup
- Pickled Cucumber Spears, Chips, and Relishes
- Garlic Scape Relish
- Dilly Beans
- Pickled Beets, Radishes, Zucchini, and Turnips
- Hot Sauce
- Pumpkin/Squash butter
Packaging & Labeling
Clients may bring their own new jars to use for processing or they may take advantage of the stock available through Virginia Food Works. Currently, 5 oz, 9 oz, and 12 oz glass containers and corresponding lids are available for purchase. If you would like a particular size or shaped jar, we can work with you to find one that works with the cannery’s equipment.
Virginia Food Works can provide referrals and assistance with developing product labels, including Nutrition Facts, UPC codes, batch codes, and FDA label requirements. We have a Primera AP362 Label Applicator available to apply labels to round jars that do not have raised lettering on the surface.
In order to facilitate entry into the value-added foods market, Virginia Food Works offers pre-designed label templates that meet commercial requirements. If you don’t have the time or money to spend on designing your own label or want to fast track your product to the marketplace, the template is a great option. We are happy to recommend graphic designers to assist in editing in information specific to your business and to help clients who wish to develop their own branding and label style; contact us for more information.
For information on renting the facility for personal use (“home canning”), visit the Prince Edward County Cannery page. Home canning is for personal consumption only as the foods created are not for resale.
For any inquiries, contact us at info@VirginiaFoodWorks.org
Virginia Food Works 