A co-packer (or contract packer) is a business that manufactures (processes and packages) a recipe for another business. Food companies use co-packers for many reasons, including to grow or “scale” quickly, to avoid brick and mortar costs, or to have their products made closer to their markets.
In general,
- Some co-packers will help with product formulation, research and development, ingredient sourcing, labeling, certifications, distribution, and marketing.
- Co-packer relationships and agreements are very important. Consider obtaining legal advice before you enter into any agreements or contracts.
- Finding a co-packer to make small batches of product can be difficult.
Go to the detailed co-packer list.
| Location | Co-Packer | Types of Products |
|---|---|---|
| Albert Lea and Owatonna | Zumbro River Brand | High protein and specialty extruded snacks, cereals and crisps, and powdered products |
| Albertville | Particle Control Inc. | Dry food ingredients |
| Arden Hills | Northwestern Foods Inc. | Dry mixes |
| Bemidji | InHarvest Inc. | Grains, rice, beans, and lentils |
| Bloomington | Fiberich Technologies Inc. | Legume flours, and high fiber baking concentrate flour |
| Bloomington | Nikola's Foods, Nikola's Bakery | Baked goods |
| Burnsville | Abdallah Candies | Candy |
| Burnsville | Buddy's Kitchen Inc. | Frozen sandwiches and breakfast entrees |
| Burnsville | Quality Ingredients Corporation | Flavor, color, dietary supplement, fruit, and probiotics |
| Caledonia | Sno Pac Foods | Frozen vegetables |
| Cannon Falls | Lorentz Meats | Meat and meat products |
| Chanhassen | Bongards Premium Cheese | Cheese and cheese products |
| Cochrane WI | Great River Organic Milling | Organic grains, flours, and cereals |
| Dover | Dover Processing Inc. | USDA inspected meat processing and co-packing |
| Eden Prairie | Milk Specialties Global | Nutritional powder products |
| Hamel | Hamel Maple Syrup Company Inc. | Maple syrup and maple sugar |
| Hastings | Hastings Creamery, Hastings Cooperative Creamery Company | Milk and milk products |
| Hudson WI | Croix Valley Foods | Acidic and acidified canned foods |
| Inver Grove Heights | Mile Marker | Spirits in bottles and cans |
| Le Center | European Roasterie Inc. | Roasted coffee |
| Le Center | Maud Borup | Candy, snacks, dry mixes, sauces, and non-food products |
| Litchfield | North Star Processing LLC | Spray-dried powders |
| Manitowoc WI | Lakeside Foods Inc. | Vegetables, beans, beverages, salsa, and sauces |
| Mankato | All American Foods Inc. | Dried, co-dried, and dry blended bulk ingredients |
| Marine on St. Croix | Treehouse Brands dba Enlightened Beverage | Frappe mix, bakery mix, coffee, and equipment |
| Marshall | Schwan's Global Supply Chain Inc. | Frozen foods |
| Minneapolis | At Last! Gourmet Foods | Soups, sauces, marinades, dips, and spreads |
| Minneapolis & New Richmond WI | Big Watt Inc. | Whole bean coffee and ready-to-drink cold press coffee, sparkling beverages, and CBD products |
| Minneapolis | Fischer's United Supply Inc. | Sauces, dressings, marinades, salsas, dips, jams, and jellies |
| Minneapolis | G.O. Fresh | Fresh pre-cut fruits and vegetables |
| Minneapolis | Olsen Fish Company | Pickled products, creamed products, and brines, non-heat treated |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul | Flackers | Dry blending, mixing/extruding, and dehydration capabilities |
| Monticello | Karlsburger Foods Inc. | Sauces, spices, and dry mixes |
| Park Rapids | The Secret Garden | Dry mixes |
| Pierz | Smude Enterprises | Dry goods and oil bottling |
| Plainview | Plainview Milk Products Cooperative | Milk and milk products |
| Red Wing | Food Service Specialties | Tomato-based and dairy-based sauces and dips |
| Red Wing | Sturdiwheat Inc. | Dry mixing and packaging |
| River Falls WI | SnappyDog Foods | Acidified canned foods and dry rubs/seasonings |
| Rochester | Reichel Foods Inc. | Produce, proteins, shelf-stable, perishable |
| Shakopee | Stone Gate Foods | Frozen foods, value-added meat products, and pouch/cup filling |
| South Haven | French Lake Butcher Shop LLC | Meat and meat products |
| Saint Cloud | Pan O Gold Baking Company | Fresh baked breads and buns |
| Saint Louis Park | MBH, LLC | Roasted whole bean and ground packaged coffee |
| Saint Michael | Midwest Rubs | Spices |
| Saint Peter | Chippewa Packaging Inc. | Snack, grains, cereal, and mixes |
| Saint Paul | Bix Produce Company | Fresh fruits and vegetables |
| Saint Paul | Captain Ken's Foods | Frozen foods |
| Turtle River | Stittsworth Smokehouse Company | Meat and meat products |
| Wanamingo | Maple Island Inc. | Nutritional and dairy powdered products |
| Woodbury | Greater American Ribs Inc. | Meat and meat products |
Reviewed July 2018; updated 2022. To add your company to this list or to change listing information, contact Brian Erickson.
This list and information are provided as a service to small Minnesota food makers. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is not responsible for the actions of and does not endorse any of these entities.
Detailed co-packer listings
Abdallah Candies
- Toffee, caramels, creams, clusters, barks, and nougats
- Capacity: 5,000 pounds per day
- Minimum order: varies
- Contact: Steve Hegedus, 952-890-4770, Service@AbdallahCandies.com
All American Foods Inc.
- A leader in customized processing and packaging of dry and co-dried food ingredients. Our Pro Mix® product line consists of cheese powders and flavorings, cultured dairy powders (yogurt powders, sour cream powders, cultured buttermilk powders, and cultured nonfat powders), high-fat powders, egg replacer powders, dried flavoring ingredients, dry sweetened condensed whole and skim milk powders, nonfat dry milk, buttermilk powder, and whole milk powder replacers.
- Capacity: to be determined
- Minimum order: to be determined
- Contact: Amy Kuch, National Sales Manager, 800-833-2661, Amys@AAFoods.com
At Last! Gourmet Foods
- Liquid and spreadable products and custom production formulations for foodservice and retail customers (soups, sauces, marinades, dips, etc.) We co-innovate and deliver products that incorporate regenerative and sustainable sourcing solutions for clean label solutions to transform grocery and restaurant markets. USDA inspected, USDA Certified Organic, SQF Level II.
- Capacity: 30,000 pounds per customer per day
- Minimum order: 1 pallet (1,200 pounds)
- Contact: Ross Schreck, RSchreck@AtLastGourmetFoods.com or Mary Pruden, Info@AtLastGourmetFoods.com
Big Watt Inc.
- Whole bean coffee, ready-to-drink cold press coffee, ready-to-drink sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink CBD products. Small mid-sized company focusing on additive/preservative/dairy-free ready-to-drink cold press/brew coffee, sparkling functional beverages, and whole bean coffee. We provide in-house R&D, flavor formulation, and short-run capabilities for burgeoning brands.
- Capacity: Minnesota facility - 10,000 cases per month; Wisconsin facility - 25,000 cases per month
- Minimum order: 2500 units minimum
- Contact: Jason Westplate, 612-354-2897, Jason@BigWattCoffee.com
Bix Produce Company
- Fresh boxed and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables as well as specialty grocery
- Capacity: n/a
- Minimum order: contact us to discuss
- Contact: Steve Pagel, Sales Manager, 651-487-8000, SPagel@BixProduce.com
Bongards Premium Cheese
- Processed cheese, natural cheese, cream cheese, and whey
- Capacity: n/a
- Minimum order: 10,000 pounds
- Contact: Scott Tomes, 952-277-5555, Scott.Tomes@Bongards.com
Buddy's Kitchen Inc.
- Frozen sandwiches, burritos, breakfast entrees, and grilled bread. Product development is available and negotiable. We very selectively work with “early-stage” companies based on an interview process.
- Capacity: capable of handling low to very high volumes
- Minimum order: n/a
- Contact: Joe Chiovera, 952-894-2540, Joe@BuddysKitchen.com
Captain Ken's Foods
- USDA and FDA
- Capacity: n/a
- Minimum order: annual 100,000 pounds
- Contact: John Traxler, 651-298-0071, JTraxler@CaptainKens.com
Chippewa Packaging Inc.
- Packaging of dry food products specializing in pre-made pouches, form fill and seal including (pillow, sachet, side gusseted pouches). Ribbon and tumbler blending. SQF Level 3, organic and kosher certified.
- Capacity: small to continuous production
- Minimum order: to be determined
- Contact: Sales, 507-931-5510
Croix Valley Foods
- Specializing in acidic and acidified canned foods such as barbecue sauces, marinades, salsas, hot sauces, Bloody Mary mixes, beverages, Worcestershire sauces, pasta sauces, dry rubs, seasonings, and more.
- Capacity: any
- Minimum order: 100 gallons on liquid products, 150 pounds on dry blends
- Contact: Damon Holter, 612-756-4985, info@CroixValleyFoods.com
Dover Processing Inc.
- Sausage making, smoked meats, horizontal slicing, thermoforming, and vacuum packaging. Specializing in uncured and natural clean label products. Organic inspected (MOSA), Animal Welfare Approved inspected.
- Capacity: small and large volumes
- Minimum order: contact us to discuss
- Contact: Eric Klein, 507-273-0859, Eric@HiddenStreamFarm.com
European Roasterie Inc.
- Our coffee, your packaging and brand
- Capacity: n/a
- Minimum order: 50 pounds per SKU
- Contact: Tom Dotray, 507-357-3008, Thomas@EuroRoast.com
Fiberich Technologies Inc.
- High fiber baking concentrate for breads, rolls, and other baking items
- Capacity: n/a
- Minimum order: one pallet (2000 pounds)
- Contact: Jean Holland, 952-920-8054, FiberichTech@gmail.com
Fischer's United Supply Inc.
- We pack a wide variety of condiments from BBQ sauces to jams, mostly acid or acidified foods in sizes from 4-ounce jars to 55-gallon drums. We can also do USDA Organic Certified products.
- Capacity: an average full production day would yield 3200 pounds of product
- Minimum order: 500 pounds
- Contact: Luke Fischer, 612-379-3333
Flackers
- Specialty food manufacturer that offers research and development, contract manufacturing, and private label services. Our primary focus is consumer food products made with better-for-you ingredients at the highest quality standards. Certified gluten-free, non-GMO, organic, and kosher. Will be FSMA and SQF Level 3 certified by July 2021.
- Capacity: small to large production
- Minimum order: based on product platform
- Contact: John Castillo, 626-354-1523, john@foodopsllc.com
Food Service Specialties
- Specializing in matching the signature pizza and pasta sauces of restaurants, food service organizations, and manufacturers. Our primary focus is pouches for foodservice (5 to 10 pounds) and totes for remanufacturing (110 to 315 gallons). We also have jarring capabilities available for these customers.
- Capacity: n/a
- Minimum order: approximately 1,000 gallons with an annual volume expectation of 5,000 gallons
- Contact: Jordan Polehna, 800-657-0811, JordanP@FoodServiceSpecialties.com
French Lake Butcher Shop LLC
- Raw meat, cooked products, uncured products slaughter (beef, hog, goat, lamb, deer, elk), hog scalding, and wild game processing. We specialize in co-packing for farmers in our area. We also specialize in uncured products and organic seasoned sausages.
- Capacity: n/a
- Minimum order: for sausages is 20 pounds
- Contact: Kimberly Werner, 320-286-5345, FrenchLakeButcherShop@live.com
G.O. Fresh
- Local woman owned company. Full line of processed fruits and vegetables. USDA Organic Certified.
- Capacity: n/a
- Minimum order: varies
- Contact: Adam Dilley, 651-425-8196, Adam@gofresh-precut.com
Great River Organic Milling
- Organic whole grains, organic bread flours, organic flour blends, organic specialty flours, organic hot cereals, and organic pancake and waffle mixes
- Capacity: depends on product
- Minimum order: depends on product
- Contact: Rick Halverson, 608-687-9580, RHalverson@GreatRiverMilling.com
Greater American Ribs Inc.
- Specializing in fully cooked pork loin back ribs, with or without BBQ Sauce. Fully cooked meats, retail or wholesale.
- Capacity: n/a
- Minimum order: to be mutually agreed upon
- Contact: 651-329-8133 or 651-739-0161, Pete@GARibs.com or Rick@GARibs.com
Hamel Maple Syrup Company Inc.
- Pure maple syrup, Certified Organic maple syrup, a Sugar Bush Blend (75% Minnesota beet sugar syrup/25% maple syrup), granulated maple sugar; wholesale, private label, and custom bottling. SQF certified, Kosher certified (cRc, Chicago Rabbinical Council), certified Organic and non-GMO (MOSA).
- Capacity: 1000s of pounds of maple syrup in various containers; bulk syrup available
- Minimum order: pallet preferred; will discuss
- Contact: Steve Jordan or Steve Leuer, 763-478-2353, Order@HamelSyrup.com, SJJordan@frontiernet.net, or lure3312@aol.com
Hastings Creamery, Hastings Cooperative Creamery Company
- Heat-treated/pasteurized/blended/dairy-based. Finished pack in: bulk (tankers – 2 gallon bags, pails, drums), HDPE gallons, half gallons, quarts, pints, 12-ounce, cross-section paperboard 8-ounce to 32-ounce.
- Capacity: 100,000 gallons
- Minimum order: 150 gallons
- Contact: David Zwart, 651-437-9414, David@HastingsCreamery.com
InHarvest Inc.
- Parboiling, blending, and scarifying ancient/heirloom rice and grains; heirloom beans and lentils; blending ancient/heirloom rice and grains that complement one another and have even cook times.
- Capacity: varies depending on season, can handle multi-truck load quantities
- Minimum order: 24 pounds stock items; 2,000 pounds custom items
- Contact: John Wagar, 800-346-7032, JohnW@InHarvest.com
Karlsburger Foods Inc.
- Soup bases, sauces, spices and seasoning blends, gravy mixes. Custom duplications and private label items. Three state-of-the-art mixing rooms (dry blending, dry/wet blending, dry/packaging). Certifications: SQF level 2, USDA inspected, FDA inspected, certified organic, certified halal, HAACP program, GMP program, QA program, Test and Hold policy
- Capacity: varies depending on product; up to 66,000 pounds a day
- Minimum order: no minimum on stock items; 150 pounds custom seasoning or dry blends; 300 pounds on custom bases
- Matthew Maher, 763-295-2273, MatthewM@Karlsburger.com
Lakeside Foods
- You’ll never work with a private-label frozen and canned vegetable company that’s as “deeply rooted in your brand,” as Lakeside Foods. We focus 100% of our energies on Private Brand. We support no national or regional brands.
- Capacity: N/A
- Minimum order: N/A
- Contact: 1-800-466-3834
Lorentz Meats
- Beef and bison slaughter, specialty packaging of all meat, and sausage making. Niche meat products for retail and foodservice.
- Capacity: significant
- Minimum order: varies by product
- Contact: Jeff Peterson, 507-263-3618 x 247, JPeterson@LorentzMeats.com
Maple Island Inc.
- We can dry blend and canister fill a wide array of powdered products including milk and protein powders as well as sensitive products like infant formula. Our packaging capabilities include both metal and composite canisters.
- Capacity: contact us for capacity information
- Minimum order: contact us as it varies by product and fill size
- Contact: David Doebler, 651-773-2673 or 651-271-1119 (cell), DDoebler@Maple-Island.com
Maud Borup
- We have extensive experience in private label manufacturing and can co-pack your components or develop and source a product for you. Bags, rigid containers, specialized shaped bags and containers. Candy, snacks, powdered mixes, hot sauces, everyday products, food gifts. Non-food projects such as toy packaging, shrink wrapping, mail items, labeling, pick and pack, warehousing services, displays, pallet programs.
- Capacity: small to large runs
- Minimum order: 4,000 units
- Contact: Randy Lantinen, 866-678-6283, Randy@MaudBorup.com
MBH, LLC
- Whole bean and roasted packaged coffee
- Capacity: n/a
- Minimum order: n/a
- Contact: Brett Struwe, 612-386-0143, Brett.Struwe@SustenanceCoffee.com
Midwest Rubs
- Spice blending and whole spice; private label and packaging; product blending and development; and bulk packaging
- Capacity: 500-1,000 pounds bulk per day
- Minimum order: 25 pounds; negotiable
- Contact: Richard Brown, 763-497-1766/763-515-3945, RBrown@MidwestRubs.com
Mile Marker
- Small volume tin cans (100- and 200-milliliter) and small to standard glass bottles (50-milliliter to 1.75-liter) for bitters, spirits, and ready-to-drink canned cocktails. Family-owned company founded in 2012.
- Minimum order: 1,000 bottles (any size); 70,000-112,000 cans (depending on size); cans supplied by Dashfire
- Contact: Lee Egbert, 612-229-8593, dashfirebitters@outlook.com or lee@dashfire.us
Milk Specialties Global
- Sports nutrition, weight loss, meal replacers
- Capacity: n/a
- Minimum order: 10,000 pounds
- Contact: Chris Baughman, 952-942-7310, CBaughman@MilkSpecialties.com
Nikola's Foods, Nikola's Bakery
- Full-service bakery solutions, custom baking and production, proprietary formulation, private label and co-packing, signature concept development. AIB inspected – score 910; FDA inspected; kosher certified; HACCP program; GMP program; QA program.
- Capacity: traditional full-service bakery – 35,000 square foot; gluten-free manufacturing – 15,000 square foot
- Minimum order: determined on a case-by-case basis
- Contact: Michael Itskovich or Bill Itskovich, 952-253-5991, dir@NikolasBakery.com or Bill@NikolasBakery.com
North Star Processing LLC
- Spray dried powders include: flavors, sweeteners, natural coloring, specialty food additives, dairy ingredients, proteins, and proprietary blends. Orthodox Union kosher, Quality Assurance International organic.
- Capacity: large to small development runs
- Minimum order: varies with products
- Contact: Mark Holmgren, 320-693-7211, MHolmgren@nsp-llc.com
Northwestern Foods Inc.
- Dry blending, vertical form and fill equipment; dry mixes (flavored beverages, cocoas, teas, lattes, bakery items), kosher and halal certified, BRC audited
- Available year-round; need 4-6 weeks lead time
- Minimum order: 2000 pounds/item
- Contact: Kurt Kaiser, 651-789-5464, Kurt@NorthwesternFoods.com
Olsen Fish Company
- Extensive experience in private label manufacturing; rigid containers, vacuum product, jarred product; kosher, FDA, non USDA products
- Capacity: small to large runs
- Minimum order: negotiable
- Contact: Chris Dorff, 612-287-0838, cdorff@olsenfish.com
Pan O Gold Baking Company (Country Hearth Breads)
- Three strategically positioned facilities fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology to ensure quality, freshness, prompt order response, and on-time delivery
- Capacity: small batches to large-scale ongoing orders
- Minimum order: varies
- Contact: Mark Ubl, 320-251-9361, mubl@PanOGold.com
Particle Control Inc.
- Specialized in toll milling, blending, packaging, air classifying, and other food processing services
- Capacity: 100 ton/week
- Minimum order: 100 pounds
- Contact: Jerry Arns, 763-497-3075, Jerry@ParticleControlInc.com
Plainview Milk Products Cooperative
- Nonfat dry milk, sweet cream, condensed skim milk, specialty dry blended products
- Capacity: 1,000,000 lbs per day
- Minimum order: Nonfat dry milk – 50 pounds, sweet cream – 2,000 pounds (approximately 200 gallons), condensed skim – 2,000 pounds (approximately 200 gallons)
- Contact: Troy Gascoigne, 507-534-3872 ext 101, Troy@PlainviewMilk.com
Quality Ingredients Corporation
- Contract spray drying and spray chilling
- Capacity: TBD
- Minimum order: 500 pounds typically
- Contact: Sales, 952-898-4002, Sales@qic.us
Reichel Foods Inc.
- Processing and packaging
- Capacity: n/a
- Minimum order: n/a
- Contact: Craig Reichel, 507-289-7264, Craig@ReichelFoods.com
Schwan's Global Supply Chain Inc.
- Ice cream, bakery desserts (pie), convenience foods, sauces, and aluminum packaging
- Capacity: varies by product category
- Minimum order: varies by product category
- Contact: Mary Jo Martinson, 507-537-8189, MaryJo.Martinson@Schwans.com
The Secret Garden
- Dehydrated soups; entree mixes; quick bread and pancake mixes; dip, cheese ball, salsa, and seasoning mixes; powdered dessert mixes
- Capacity: n/a
- Minimum order: n/a
- Contact: Anne Morgan, 218-732-4866, sgmorg@wcta.net
Smude Enterprises
- Co-packing dry goods up to 2 pounds; oil bottling any size
- Capacity: any
- Minimum order: any
- Contact: Tom Smude, 320-468-6925, Tom@SmudeOil.com
SnappyDog Foods
- BBQ sauce, marinades, Bloody Mary mixes, salsa, hot sauces, etc. Gluten-free facility specializing in small batch production for the start-up and small entrepreneur, but have the capacity to produce volume as well.
- Capacity: up to a truckload
- Minimum order: 30 gallons – liquid products, 50 pounds – dry blends
- Contact: Dave Merten, 651-775-5865, Dave@SnappyDogSalsa.com
Sno Pac Foods
- Organic
- Capacity: Large
- Minimum order: Processing 40,000 lbs raw product/ packaging 20,000 lbs / ingredient sales no minimum
- Contact: Peter Gengler, 507-725-5281, SnoPac@SnoPac.com
Stittsworth Smokehouse Company
- Raw or cooked sausages, smoked jerky, and raw ground meat bricks or patties. Specializing in beef, pork, bison, and wild game products. We can trim, marinate, and package poultry products. We are smokehouse experts and offer consultation services to help jumpstart your food production business.
- Capacity: 100,000 pounds monthly
- Minimum order: trial runs to help with new product recipes; contact us for more information
- Contact: George Becerra, 218-343-9834, george@stittsworthmeats.com or Mychal Stittsworth, 218-586-4201, mychals@stittsworthmeats.com
Stone Gate Foods
- Frozen appetizers, pizzas, side dishes, desserts, value-added meat products (beef, chicken, pork), meal kit assembly, and pouch/cup filling. Our expertise is with products that involve a high level of hand labor.
- Capacity: Ability to handle small runs to multiple truckloads
- Minimum order: 1 full production day/night shift
- Contact: Rob Eversman, 952-215-0475, REversman@Stonegate-Foods.com
Sturdiwheat Inc.
- All natural and organic certified. We do not run nuts through our system.
- Capacity: varies with product
- Minimum order: 1000 units
- Contact: Suzanne Blue, 651-385-9300 or 800-201-9650, Pancakes@Sturdiwheat.com
Treehouse Brands dba Enlightened Beverage
- Best quality, best price – we get it.
- Capacity: open
- Minimum order: one case 5 pouches/bags x 3 pounds
- Contact: Jim McKenzie / Mike Lammi, 888-522-2892, Info@TreehouseBrand.com
Zumbro River Brand
- 2 locations, offering twin screw extrusion and batch agglomeration services. SQF level 2, kosher, halal, gluten free, non-GMO, and organic (by product). Specializing in high protein snacks, cereals, and crisps.
- Capacity: small volumes to truckload quantities
- Minimum order: depends on product; pilot plant has trial units for R&D work
- Contact: Zane Borchers, 507-446-9097 x 123, ZBorchers@ZumbroRiverBrand.com
