Introduction:
Préval AG, an international agri-food company headquartered in Quebec, has acquired the assets of J&G Foods, located in Sutton, Massachusetts. J&G was and still is a custom and specialty case-ready fresh meat provider specializing in portioned organic and grass-fed beef, organic and natural chicken, natural pork and beef, and a variety of marinated and value-added meats for their prestigious list of national retail customers. Also under this North American Umbrella is Catelli Brothers Family of Foods who now Operates the J&G Plant under the Catelli Brand. This SQF-certified U.S. processing facility and its experienced team in Sutton, MA, is enabling us to expand our extensive grinding capabilities…enlarge our custom processing…and broaden our private label options. CSG worked for J&G Foods for over 6 years and with Catelli on its transition at the Sutton Plant and the adaption of serval valued added products specifically there “cook in bag” and marinated value-added meats for a superior line up of retailers across North America.
Situation:
The combination of these companies expanded their private label custom value-added retail packaged meat “RTC”. Includes Grass Fed Beef, Chicken, Turkey, Pork, Lamb and Superior Veal Products. During this engagement we worked with production technology, ingredients and the assembly of formula, HACCP and new product development strategies. Chef Services was retained to work with production and Q&A to launch the innovation and product development initiatives that now enjoy a market position. The list is long and product development was unique an innovative.
Their Need:
To design new products for private label and the Catelli Brand case ready and “cook in bag” manufacturing supermarket customers. The key focus was to identify the competitive landscape and measure areas of opportunity for competitive products and innovative meal solutions. Overall support needed to manage the innovation process.
Primary Services Provided:
- Product Development formulation
- Sourcing and Specification of Raw Materials
- HACCP Assistance and NLEA nutrition labeling & claims for FDA / USDA approval.
- Supervise plant scale up and Production launch of new products
- Conducted testing of new equipment with production staff.
- Supervised and directed the production plan & training of staff
- Worked directly with R&D teams of customers to finalize commercial formulations for their private label manufacturing
Results:
Enhanced the innovation/development process at J&G, provided technical solutions that enabled the successful commercialization and launch of several value added meat products for key retailer customers.