Private Label and Outsourcing Consulting for Food Producers and Brands
Private label is now a core part of how food is sold. In the United States, store brands reached a record $282.8 billion in sales in 2025 and took 21.3% of dollar sales, according to PLMA and Circana. Across 17 European markets, private label holds 38.7% of value. For a producer, that is a very large market to supply. For a brand, a restaurant group, a hotel or an airline, it is a way to put your own name on a product you control.
The hard part is not the idea. It is finding the right manufacturer, getting the product, packaging and price right, and meeting US rules on labelling, registration and importing before the first pallet ships. That is where we work.
VC Agriculinary Consulting helps international food producers and brands build and run private label and outsourced production programmes for the United States, with the commercial and regulatory work handled together. We do not hand over a report and leave. We stay involved until the product is on the shelf.
Who we work with
Producers and manufacturers who want to supply private label
You make good food and have capacity, and you want to sell to retailers, distributors, hospitality groups and brand owners who will put their own label on it. We help you work out which buyers fit your products, prepare your specifications and cost model, and handle the US requirements your customers will ask about.
Brands, retailers and hospitality groups who want a private label range
You want your own product, made to your specification, without building a factory. We help you define the product, find and qualify manufacturers, develop packaging and manage the launch. This includes restaurant groups, coffee chains, hotels, airlines and airline caterers, foodservice distributors and retail chains.
Companies who want to outsource production or sourcing
You want to focus on sales and brand while someone else produces, packs or sources. We help you decide what to outsource, find qualified partners, negotiate contracts and keep quality under control once production starts.
What we do
Private label development
We help you move from an idea to a specification a manufacturer can quote on: product concept, recipe or formulation brief, target price, pack size, shelf life and positioning against what is already on the shelf. For producers, we help you shape an existing product into an offer a buyer can say yes to.
Product innovation and customisation
New flavours, premium lines, seasonal ranges, and adaptations of a product that already works in Europe so it suits US tastes, formats and regulations. Examples include signature dessert programmes, bakery and pastry lines, and products developed for coffee shops and airline catering.
Packaging development and sourcing
Packaging is where private label products often win or lose, and it carries legal requirements. We help with design briefs, packaging suppliers, minimum orders and costs, and make sure the pack carries what US law requires, such as the Nutrition Facts panel, allergen declaration, net quantity and the name and address of the business responsible for the product.
Manufacturer search and factory qualification
We identify manufacturers that fit your product, volume and quality needs, and qualify them before you commit. That includes checking food safety certification, capacity, references, and whether the factory is registered with the FDA if it needs to be.
Contract negotiation and procurement
Private label contracts decide who owns the recipe, what the minimum volumes are, how prices move, what happens if quality fails and how either side can exit. We help you negotiate terms that protect you, and set up purchasing and supplier management so costs stay under control.
Manufacturing coordination and launch support
Samples, trial runs, first production, quality checks and the first shipment. We coordinate between you, the manufacturer and your logistics partners so the launch happens on the agreed date.
US regulatory support built in
A private label product still has to meet every rule that applies to the food itself. We make sure the parts that catch people out are planned from the start:
FDA food facility registration for the facilities that make, pack or hold the food, and the biennial renewal that runs from 1 October to 31 December every even year.
Prior Notice for imported shipments, and the other import documentation.
FSVP, the Foreign Supplier Verification Program, which makes the US importer responsible for verifying the foreign supplier. For private label, working out who the importer is matters, because it depends on who owns the goods when they enter the US.
Label compliance, including the "Manufactured for" or "Distributed by" wording when the name on the pack is not the manufacturer, US allergen declarations and the Nutrition Facts format.
Customs and shipping, including correct tariff classification and landed cost planning.
You can read more in our guides to food export compliance between the US and Europe, FSVP and US versus EU food labels. This is practical guidance and not legal advice, and we recommend confirming specifics with the FDA or a regulatory adviser for your product.
How we work
Our method has five stages, and we stay with you through all of them.
Discover. We learn your product, volumes, budget and goals, and review your current position.
Design. We define the product, the offer and the commercial model, and test it against the US market. Where needed, we run a market feasibility study first.
Source. We find, compare and qualify manufacturers or buyers, and agree terms.
Launch. We coordinate samples, production, labelling, import and the first shipment.
Scale. We help you add customers, products and channels once the first programme is running.
Why private label is worth looking at
For producers and manufacturers, private label offers steadier volumes, better use of production capacity, access to retailers and foodservice buyers without paying to build a consumer brand, and a faster route into a new market. For brands and hospitality groups, it offers control over product, margin and customer experience.
It also has real risks: pressure on margins, dependence on a small number of customers, and unclear ownership of recipes if the contract is weak. We cover both sides honestly in our guide to why private label works for producers and manufacturers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between private label and outsourcing?
Private label means a product is made by one company and sold under another company's brand. Outsourcing is wider: it means handing part of your operation, such as production, packing, sourcing or fulfilment, to an outside partner. Many private label programmes involve both.
Do you only work with European producers?
Our focus is international producers and brands entering or growing in the United States, including those based in Europe. If you are a US based brand looking for manufacturers abroad, we can help with that too.
Can you find a manufacturer for my product?
Yes. Manufacturer search and factory qualification is part of the service. We start from your specification, volumes and quality requirements, and shortlist partners that fit.
Do I need my own brand to sell private label?
No. Many producers supply private label alone or alongside their own brand. We can help you decide the right balance for your business.
Who is responsible for FDA compliance on a private label product?
Responsibility is shared. The facility that makes or packs the food has its own obligations, such as registration. The importer has FSVP duties. The business named on the label has labelling responsibilities. Who holds which role depends on how your contract and shipping are set up, so we map this at the start.
How long does it take to launch a private label product?
It depends on the product, packaging, testing and buyer. A product that already exists and needs a new label moves much faster than a new recipe with custom packaging. We give you a realistic timeline once we know your scope.
How much does it cost?
We scope each project individually. Book a free consultation and we will give you a clear view of what is involved.
Start with a free consultation
Tell us what you make, or what you want to launch, and where you want to sell it. We will tell you what is realistic.
Book a free consultation or contact us.
Agriculinary Trade Consulting. New York, Dallas and Paris.