Scaling Your Healthy Food Product

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 th...

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 in...

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...

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 bal...

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 un...

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 th...

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@camares...

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 f...

In this episode, we're diving into a critical topic for anyone developing packaged food products: Accelerated Shelf Life vs Actual Shelf Life . Whether you're trying to get to market faster or making sure your label claims are accurate, understanding the difference between these two testing methods is key. We'll cover: ✅ What accelerated shelf life testing is — and when to use it ⏳ Why actual (r...

What does training for a half marathon have in common with growing a successful food business? More than you might think. In this heartfelt and motivating episode, I share the real lessons I learned while preparing for my first half marathon—and how those same habits are helping me (and my clients) build food brands that last. Whether you're still in your kitchen or gearing up for manufacturing, t...

Starting a food business is exciting — but let's be honest, it's also a wild ride filled with unexpected lessons. In this episode, we're hearing straight from food founders about the advice they wish they had before diving in. From costly mistakes to game-changing insights, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to turn a recipe into a successful product. Whether you're just s...

Thinking about partnering with a co-manufacturer to scale your food business? Before you jump in, there are a few must-know tips that can save you time, money, and major headaches. In this episode, we'll cover 3 key things you need to look for when choosing the right co-manufacturer —from alignment with your product values to understanding their processes and what questions to ask before signing a...

ou're not alone — many small food business owners hit this roadblock when growing production. In this episode, we dive into three essential things you need to keep in mind to scale your recipe successfully without sacrificing taste, texture, or quality. Whether you're moving from kitchen batches to co-manufacturing or just trying to double your output, this episode will give you practical tips to...

When launching a food product, one of the biggest questions entrepreneurs face is: How many variations should I start with? Launch too many, and you risk draining your resources. Launch too few, and you might miss key opportunities. So how do you find the sweet spot for your food business? In this episode, we break it all down, including: ✅ The hidden risks of launching too many SKUs too soon (an...

As a food business owner, you know that every ingredient choice impacts your bottom line. But how can you reduce costs without compromising taste, functionality, or customer appeal? In this episode, we're diving into 4 smart strategies that will help you streamline costs, maintain product quality, and protect your margins —especially if you're in the better-for-you or plant-based food space. If yo...

How can you Leverage 2025 Market Trends to Grow Your Food Business If you're looking to grow your food business in 2025—whether by launching a new product or expanding your existing line—understanding market trends can give you a competitive edge. In this episode, I'll break down three key trends that can help you scale your business and increase sales: 🔹 Rising Consumer Spending on Better-for-Yo...

What's the key to taking your food business to the next level? Do you know what your next move should be? In this episode, we'll break down the one thing you need to focus on right now to grow your food business. Tune in for practical insights and motivation to keep you moving forward! Send your one thing to jacinta@camaresearch.com To grab a copy of the  Food Business Growing & Scaling up Guide  ...

As your food business grows, you may find yourself struggling to keep up with demand while maintaining quality and consistency. Have you considered partnering with a co-packer to scale production efficiently? In this episode, we dive into the key signs that indicate it's time to start looking for a co-packer. You'll learn: The benefits of working with a co-packer and how they can help you scale. T...

Are you missing a key opportunity in growing your food business? In this episode, we break down five reasons why starting in local stores can be a game-changer for your brand. Learn how selling locally can help you build brand awareness, gain loyal customers, and set the foundation for long-term success.  

Before you can scale your food product, you need to know how real customers respond to it. Farmers markets are a great way to gather direct feedback, test your product, and build a loyal following. If you've been thinking about selling at farmers markets but aren't sure where to start, this episode is for you! Tune in to learn the 3 essential steps to get your healthy food product market-ready and...

What if I told you there are ways you could formulate your recipe naturally to extend the shelf life of your healthy food product? Listen in to find out the 3 ways you could extend the shelf life of your product naturally. Spices Inclusions Natural additives If you have any questions email me at jacinta@camaresearch.com.

How you choose and package your healthy food product can make or break your product. Listen in to find out how you can choose the right packaging to prolong the life of your product. For questions you would like addressed in this podcast, send your questions to jacinta@camaresearch.com

As a Entrepreneur in the healthy food space do you know how your food product fails? Knowing how your food product will fail, is one of the ways you can ensure your products survives the test of time. You want to be confident the love your customers have for your product will last and keep growing. Of these three things, do you know which one is your products show stopper? Smell/Odor Taste Texture

If you are a foodpreneur who's food product and journey has been inspired by your need to fill a gap, you will relate with this episode. Your journey could have been inspired by a family member's dietary restriction or diagnosis. My road to becoming a food scientist was inspired by my love for food and fueled by my dad's diabetes diagnosis.  At the end of the day, when we improve our lives and the...

Doing these 3 things will help you get ahead of the gave as you comeercialize your healthy "better for you" product Having sold your product and projected sales Customer feedback Knowing your product mode of failure