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Scaling Your Healthy Food Product

Scaling Your Healthy Food Product
Author: Jacinta Kemboi
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© 2025
Description
If you are an enterepreneur or solopreneur selling healthy/ "Better-for you" product to the world looking to scale and commercialize, this podcast is for you.
In this podcast you will learn from a food scientist with 12 years plus experience in the food industry. I have successfully helped companies develop, scale and launch their healthy food products.
If you are looking to scale your healthy food product by having it listed in more healthy food stores and displayed on more grocery store chains shelves, you are in the right place. This podcast will provide you with actionable steps and tips to help you succeed. You will learn how to correctly prepare your product to scale and commercialize like a pro.
Stay tuned.
In this podcast you will learn from a food scientist with 12 years plus experience in the food industry. I have successfully helped companies develop, scale and launch their healthy food products.
If you are looking to scale your healthy food product by having it listed in more healthy food stores and displayed on more grocery store chains shelves, you are in the right place. This podcast will provide you with actionable steps and tips to help you succeed. You will learn how to correctly prepare your product to scale and commercialize like a pro.
Stay tuned.
40 Episodes
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Clear, consistent communication can make or break your co-manufacturing partnership. Misunderstandings around production runs, timelines, or specs often lead to costly mistakes — but with the right systems, you can build trust and avoid surprises. This week on the podcast, I’m diving into the final part of our mini-series: 3 Things Food Founders Struggle with in Co-Manufacturing. We’ll talk about how to set up communication practices that protect your product, your margins, and your peace of mind. And yes, this ties directly into Step 3 of my ETS Method — Scaling & Selling with Confidence. Because scaling isn’t just about bigger runs — it’s about managing relationships that support sustainable growth. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why poor communication is one of the top reasons co-man partnerships fail The key updates you should always request from your co-man (and how often) How to document and track conversations to avoid “he said, she said” Relationship management tools that keep everyone aligned on expectations If you’re ready to strengthen your co-manufacturer relationship and scale with confidence, this episode is for you. https://camaresearch.com/resources to Download resources including "Questions to Ask Potential Co-Manufacturers" to help you as you grow your better-for-you food brand. Schedule a free hot seat strategy call here
Scaling often means tweaks in formulation, process, or packaging — and one of the biggest challenges founders face is making sure the product still tastes, looks, and performs the same when produced in large runs. This ties directly into my ETS Method Framework — Step 3: Scale & Sell. When you scale, protecting your product integrity is what allows you to move with confidence into co-manufacturing, distribution, and retail partnerships. In this episode, I’m breaking down how to safeguard your product’s integrity as you scale: -Why product consistency is harder (but non-negotiable) at scale - How to use testing and validation to protect quality - The role of quality control in co-manufacturing partnerships - What to do if your product shifts during production runs If you’re a food founder preparing to scale, this episode will give you the tools and mindset to keep your product true to its promise — and strengthen your path to profitable growth. Next week: Part 3 – Mastering Communication with Your Co-Manufacturer https://camaresearch.com/resources to Download resources including "Questions to Ask Potential Co-Manufacturers" to help you as you grow your better-for-you food brand. Schedule a free hot seat strategy call here
Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs) are one of the biggest hurdles food founders face when scaling. They can feel like an impossible barrier — too big for your budget, too risky for your stage, and too overwhelming to manage. But here’s the truth: MOQs aren’t just numbers pulled out of thin air. They signal how your co-manufacturer operates, their efficiencies, and even their willingness to partner with you for the long haul. In this episode of the Scaling Your Healthy Food Product Podcast, I break down the “why” behind MOQs and show you how to approach them strategically. 🎧 Tune in to learn: Why MOQs exist and what they reveal about your co-manufacturer How to negotiate smaller runs without burning bridges Why relationship management is your secret weapon in co-manufacturing 👉 This episode is part of my mini-series: 3 Things Food Founders Struggle with in Co-Manufacturing. ✨ And don’t miss next week’s Part 2: Protecting Your Product Integrity — where I’ll share how to make sure your product stays true to your vision once it’s in the hands of a co-manufacturer. If you’re a food founder ready to scale but feeling stuck at the MOQ hurdle, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to move forward. https://camaresearch.com/resources to Download resources including "Questions to Ask Potential Co-Manufacturers" to help you as you grow your better-for-you food brand. Schedule a free hot seat strategy call here
In this episode, we sit down with Laurie, co-founder of BeLov, to uncover the inspiring story behind creating nutritious, better-for-you baby foods. What began as two friends trying to feed their little ones wholesome meals quickly grew into a bold mission: redefining the baby food aisle. Laurie shares: How BeLov started with textured meals and expanded into cereals and snacks The reality of pivoting from commercial kitchens to co-manufacturing — and calling 30+ facilities before finding the right fit The patience and grit it took to wait 24 months before seeing their first product on shelves The incredible journey of acquiring Mother Hen, a legacy baby food brand, less than a year after launching Lessons on resilience, partnerships, and staying true to your vision when the industry — and even family — doubt your choices Laurie’s story is one of heart, hustle, and holding onto a vision bigger than yourself. Whether you’re a parent, an entrepreneur, or a founder scaling your food brand, you’ll walk away inspired and armed with insights on how to grow with purpose. Schedule a free hot seat strategy call here https://camaresearch.com/resources to Download resources including "Questions to Ask Potential Co-Manufacturers" to help you as you grow your better-for-you food brand.
When your food brand starts to grow fast, it’s exciting — but it also comes with hidden risks. The recent Dubai Chocolates recall is a powerful reminder that when exponential growth happens, you can’t afford to drop the basics: compliance, product safety, and operational checks. In this episode, I break down: ✅ What went wrong in the Dubai Chocolates recall ✅ The key blind spots that many food founders miss during rapid scaling ✅ How to apply the ETS Method (Step 3: Scale with Confidence) to avoid costly mistakes If you’re a food founder aiming to grow into retail and beyond, this episode is a must-listen to ensure your business scales safely, sustainably, and profitably. Schedule a free hot seat strategy call here https://camaresearch.com/resources to Download resources including "Questions to Ask Potential Co-Manufacturers" to help you as you grow your better-for-you food brand.
Is your food business ready to scale — or are you about to hit avoidable roadblocks? Scaling isn’t just making more product. It’s about producing at a larger scale while protecting your quality, profit margins, and brand reputation. In one of my recent projects, a founder rushed into large-scale production without the right systems in place. The result? Delays, quality issues, and thousands in lost revenue. With a few strategic changes — including choosing the right co-manufacturer and refining their distribution plan — they turned things around and hit their biggest retail order yet. This week on the podcast, I’m diving into Step 3 of the ETS Method — Scale & Sell, where we focus on building a production and distribution system you can trust. If you’re a food founder who wants to grow without losing control of your product (or your sanity), this episode is for you. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss all upcoming tips and visit https://camaresearch.com/resources to Download resources including "Questions to Ask Potential Co-Manufacturers" to help you as you grow your better-for-you food brand.
I recently joined OnPod Studios’ Expert Seat to share my insights on scaling better-for-you food products from recipe to retail. We covered what it really takes to get a product retail-ready — from perfecting the recipe for shelf stability and scaling production, to navigating co-manufacturing and meeting buyer expectations. I shared practical tips for founders looking to move from the kitchen to national retailers, while keeping quality, profitability, and brand integrity intact. If you want to watch the video on Youtube- You can watch it here Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss all upcoming tips and visit https://camaresearch.com/resources to Download resources to help you as you grow your better-for-you food brand.
How do we replace a bad habit with a good one? That single question drove Leila to create Healtea — a refreshing, functional tea brand she co-founded with Francesco. What started as an idea during a car ride became a shelf-stable, better-for-you beverage stocked in 1,500 stores across Canada. In this week’s Founder Spotlight episode of Scaling Your Healthy Food Product, I sit down with Leila to unpack their journey — from bootstrapping beginnings to national growth. 💡 What we covered: – Turning values into a brand mission – Navigating early challenges in formulation – Going shelf-stable without compromising quality – Finding the right co-manufacturer – Lessons learned while scaling fast If you're building a food or beverage brand, this episode will spark fresh ideas and give you a look behind the scenes of scaling a health-focused product. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss all upcoming tips and visit https://camaresearch.com/resources to Download resources to help you as you grow your better-for-you food brand.
In this week’s episode of the Scaling Your Healthy Food Product podcast, we’re diving into Step 2 of the ETS Method: Test & Improve. If your goal is to bring a consistent, high-quality product to market — one that customers love and retailers trust — testing and improving your product is not optional. It's a critical step that can reveal hidden weaknesses before they show up in distribution, production, or on the shelf. I share how founders I’ve worked with were able to catch costly mistakes early and turn their product into a stronger contender by running the right kinds of tests — from sensory trials and process tweaks to packaging evaluations and shelf-life studies. What you’ll learn: ✅ The real reason product testing isn’t just for big brands ✅ How small changes can unlock major improvements in quality and cost ✅ The types of tests every founder should run before scaling ✅ What testing reveals about your brand promise and product performance ✅ How to use feedback to strengthen both your product and your confidence Got a question, comment, or just want to say hi? I’d love to hear from you! You can leave me a quick voice message — it might even be featured on a future episode. Just head to [Voicemail Link] and share your thoughts To grab a copy of the Food Business Growing & Scaling up Guide
In this episode, we kick off the E.T.S Method Series with the most overlooked but crucial step: Evaluate Your Product. After years of working with food founders, I’ve seen a clear pattern — many of the failed or struggling food businesses had one thing in common: they skipped this step or didn’t do it well. They rushed to scale without knowing if their product was actually ready. In this episode, I’ll break down the four essential areas every food founder must assess before thinking about scaling: Market Readiness — Is there a proven demand beyond your friends and local market? Margin — Are you priced for profit once you factor in manufacturing, distribution, and retail markups? Scalability — Can your product be produced consistently at larger volumes without sacrificing quality? Shelf Life — Does your shelf life support distribution and in-store sell-through? Before you take on more stores or increase production, make sure your product can support your growth goals. 🎧 Tune in to learn how to set your product up for profitable, sustainable growth and avoid the hidden traps that derail many early-stage food brands. Got a question, comment, or just want to say hi? I’d love to hear from you! You can leave me a quick voice message — it might even be featured on a future episode. Just head to [Voicemail Link] and share your thoughts
Scaling your food product isn’t about rushing to retail — it’s about building intentionally so you don’t burn cash, compromise quality, or stall your growth. In this episode, I’m introducing the E.T.S. Framework, a 3-step roadmap designed to help early-stage food founders grow with strategy and confidence. Whether you’re still in your kitchen or prepping for co-manufacturing, this framework will help you ask the right questions, run the right tests, and scale at the right time. This episode is for you if: You feel overwhelmed by what it takes to scale your product You’re not sure if your recipe, process, or packaging are ready You want a roadmap that helps you scale without guesswork Got a question, comment, or just want to say hi? I’d love to hear from you! You can leave me a quick voice message — it might even be featured on a future episode. Just head to [Voicemail Link] and share your thoughts To grab a copy of the Food Business Growing & Scaling up Guide
You don’t have to look far to find powerful support for your food business—sometimes, the best resources are right in your backyard. In this episode, I’m sharing 3 local gems that every food founder should know about. These are community-based resources, programs, and partners that can help you grow, scale, and stay inspired—whether you're still making products at home or prepping for retail. If you're building a better-for-you brand and want support that’s accessible, affordable, and aligned with your mission, this episode will help you tap into what’s already around you. Got a question, comment, or just want to say hi? I’d love to hear from you! You can leave me a quick voice message — it might even be featured on a future episode. Just head to [Voicemail Link] and share your thoughts To grab a copy of the Food Business Growing & Scaling up Guide
In this inspiring Founder Spotlight episode, I sit down with Yohannes Petros, founder of Hanes Hummus, to unpack his journey of turning a simple, better-for-you product into a beloved brand. From making small batches at home to building his own manufacturing facility and navigating retail setbacks, Yohannes shares the real behind-the-scenes of scaling a food brand — the wins, the struggles, and the lessons learned along the way. We talk about: ✅ What inspired Yohannes to start Hanes Hummus ✅ How he scaled from home kitchen to manufacturing and co-packing ✅ The importance of shelf-life in retail success ✅ Why building close relationships with retailers and customers is critical ✅ How to navigate rejection and bounce back stronger ✅ The mindset every food founder needs to thrive through challenges If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to grow a food business — this candid conversation is a must-listen. Plus, Yohannes shares his best advice for any founder preparing to scale and insights you won’t hear anywhere else. Got a question, comment, or just want to say hi? I’d love to hear from you! You can leave me a quick voice message — it might even be featured on a future episode. Just head to [Voicemail Link] and share your thoughts To grab a copy of the Food Business Growing & Scaling up Guide
Getting ready for a plant trial? Don’t just wing it. Whether you’re scaling from a commercial kitchen or working with a co-manufacturer for the first time, your plant trial is a critical moment in your food business journey. It’s where your product meets real-world production — and the stakes are high. In this episode, I share 5 essential things every food founder should prepare before stepping into a plant trial. From confirming your batch size and ingredient specs to knowing what to bring (and what to ask), this episode will help you show up confident, clear, and ready to get the most out of your trial. Got a question, comment, or just want to say hi? I’d love to hear from you! You can leave me a quick voice message — it might even be featured on a future episode. Just head to [Voicemail Link] and share your thoughts or Send an email to jacinta@camaresearch.com To grab a copy of the Food Business Growing & Scaling up Guide
Being a food founder can feel lonely — especially when you’re the one making all the decisions. But what if you didn’t have to figure it all out alone? In this episode, we’re talking about the game-changing role of mentors in helping food founders grow with confidence. I’ll share how mentorship has shaped my own journey and why every founder—whether you're just starting or scaling—can benefit from the wisdom of someone who’s been there. Got a question, comment, or just want to say hi? I’d love to hear from you! You can leave me a quick voice message — it might even be featured on a future episode. Just head to [Voicemail Link] and share your thoughts To register for Upcoming 1 Hr Online Workshop-June 19th at 12PM EST visit Register here
After 20+ episodes supporting food founders, I want to hear from you. What questions are on your mind? What challenges are you facing right now? What topics would help you move your business forward? This podcast was created to support founders like you—those building purpose-driven food brands, navigating growth from the kitchen or Comm ercial kitchensto manufacturing, and doing it all while balancing family, work, and the dream of freedom. In this short episode, I’m opening up the mic to hear your voice. Whether it’s a quick question, a topic suggestion, or feedback on what’s helped you most so far—your input will shape future episodes. Got a question, comment, or just want to say hi? I’d love to hear from you! You can leave me a quick voice message — it might even be featured on a future episode. Just head to [Voicemail Link] and share your thoughts To grab a copy of the Food Business Growing & Scaling up Guide To register for Upcoming 1 Hr Online Workshop-June 19th at 12PM EST visit Register here
Want to grow your food business without squeezing your profit margins? It starts with your ingredients. In this episode, we’re talking about one of the most powerful—and often overlooked—ways to improve your bottom line: ingredient optimization. Whether you’re scaling up production, sourcing more consistently, or just trying to make your recipe more efficient, the right ingredient strategy can unlock serious savings without compromising on quality. You’ll walk away with clear, actionable steps to help you keep more money in your business and create products that are built to scale. Congratulations to Listener Michelle for winning the 1hr Food business Scaling Strategy Consultation :) Send your questions to jacinta@camaresearch.com or Send Your Voice Message or Note Using https://www.speakpipe.com/JacintaKemboi To grab a copy of the Food Business Growing & Scaling up Guide To register for Upcoming 1 Hr Online Workshop-June 19th at 12PM EST visit Register here
Scaling a food business takes more than a great recipe—it takes strategy, systems, and the right support. In this episode of Baked in Science, I sit down with fellow food industry consultant Mark Floerke for a real, behind-the-scenes conversation on what it actually takes to go from kitchen success to commercial scale. From ingredient sourcing to co-manufacturing, we talk through the decisions that make or break a growing food brand. Whether you're thinking about co-packing, refining your operations, or just wondering when to make your next big move—this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and a few “I wish I’d known this sooner” moments. Send your questions to jacinta@camaresearch.com To grab a copy of the Food Business Growing & Scaling up Guide To register for Upcoming 1 Hr Online Workshop-June 19th at 12PM EST visit Register here
The food industry is shifting—and the founders who stay relevant are the ones who stay innovative. In this episode, I break down why innovation isn’t just a nice-to-have, but a must-have, especially as AI begins to impact how we cost, source, formulate, and scale. Whether you’re creating your first product or preparing for national growth, this one’s for you. Send your questions to jacinta@camaresearch.com To grab a copy of the Food Business Growing & Scaling up Guide To register for Upcoming 1 Hr Online Workshop-June 19th at 12PM EST visit Register here
Thinking about co-packing or co-manufacturing—but not sure if it’s too soon? In this episode, I’m sharing 3 smart reasons why exploring co-manufacturing early could actually save you time, money, and stress as you grow your food business. From ingredient sourcing challenges to cost-efficiency and keeping your product true to its original form, we’ll dive into the real-world advantages that many founders overlook. If you’re serious about scaling—from your kitchen to store shelves—you don’t want to miss this one. 🎁 Plus: I’ve got a surprise for listeners at the end of the episode that will help you get one step closer to your scaling goals! 💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: ✅ How co-manufacturing can actually save you money ✅ Why it can solve tricky ingredient sourcing issues early on ✅ How starting the process now helps you protect your product’s quality ✅ What most founders wish they knew before trying to scale