Food processing

Food processing is emerging as a major industry, which has the potential of providing employment to young people of the State. Assam has a fertile soil conducive to cultivation of fruits and vegetables. So far the fruits and vegetables grown in Assam have been sent by rail or road to other parts of the country. Now a beginning has been made to process them in Assam itself. One such enterprise is Sanghavi Foods Private Ltd in Dalgaon in Darrang District. Dipak Sanghavi, Director of the Sanghavi Foods, feels that the food processing unit would provide employment opportunities for the younger generation. "We have taken the first step to show a constructive way to the youth. Next step is for everyone to promote development. Development promotes peace. We have endeavoured for peace," said Sankar Prasad Rai, President, All-Assam Students Union. The bottling plant is one project, the like of which, needs to be established in large numbers. Ashang, a worker, says: "I finished my higher secondary in 2004 and started my studies for graduation but had no means to look after my family. It was fortunate that this factory has come up." "Industries can come to Assam, if there is peace. I urge militants to give up violence and have dialogue with the Government," said Abdul Azad, another worker. The food processing industry has also come as a big relief for the farmers. The region is very rich in vegetable production but the farmers do not get their due share. When there is over production, the farmers have to under sell their products or throw them away. The industry now absorbs the extra production and also gives the growers their due in terms of money. So the industry is a boon for everyone.

The impacts of food production on biodiversity

This market in Kuala Pilah, Peninsular Malaysia, shows an assortment of locally grown fruits and vegetables.  Matthew Luskin and other Potts’ lab students are working on quantifying the biodiversity impacts of producing that food through the Conservation of Biodiversity (CBioD) project.
Matthew is currently studying the conversion of tropical rain forests to palm oil plantations (the world’s largest vegetable oil). Oil palm expansion is considered the single most immediate and pervasive threat to terrestrial biodiversity with staggering growth across the tropics.

Crown Food Europe partners with Bonduelle Group

Crown Food Europe, a business unit of Crown Holdings, has partnered with the Bonduelle Group, canned vegetables, to install a metal packaging production line at the company’s Novotitarovskaia plant in Krasnodar Krai, Russia.

Wholesale Juice Business Plan

Oasis Juice has been a successful product brand in the city of Richmond for three years. The company's natural, 100% fruit juices has grown in sales by 15% each year and is now available in over 100 store outlets in the greater Richmond area. Oasis Juice will gross $580,000 in sales this year. This was generated from a initial investment of $180,000.
Oasis Juice is planning to expand its operation to include distribution to stores within the entire state.  Owner funding and internally generated cash flow will enable most the expansion plan.   The company will also secure a $100,000 short-term loan.  Sales projections for the next three years are based on current sales success with the target customer base in Richmond.  Initial contacts have been completed with retail outlets throughout the state and the potential target markets have been identified.
This plan will result in sales revenues growing to $1.2 million by Year 2.

1.1 Objectives

The objectives of Oasis Juice are the following:

• Create a state-wide sales staff.
• Establish strong sales in the state's five metro areas by Year 2.
• Maintain tight control of cost and operation during expansion.

1.2 Mission

Oasis Juice's mission is as follows:

• Quality: Our fruit juices are the highest quality, most nutritious food products...because we will accept nothing less.

• Innovative: Our products have always been in the forefront of the health and nutrition wave. Innovative products, state of the art manufacturing, quality assurance and industry expertise are the bases for our past and future successes.

• Integrity: Our customers depend on the quality of our juice products. Our commitment to the highest standard is the foundation of our customer's trust in Oasis Juice. Delivering freshly made juice to consumers depends on extensive cooperation and mutual reliance between supplier and retailer. We stand behind our product, our service and our word.

Microbrewery Business Plan

Martin Cove Brewing Company has been a successful microbrewery in southern Oregon for the past three years. Located in the city of Medford, the company has increased sales by 15% each year. The company's product lines are Martin Cove Pilsner and Red Ale. This year, Martin Cove Brewing Company, will gross $520,000 in sales. This was generated from an initial investment of $150,000.
Martin Cove Brewing Company handcrafts its beers in small 20 barrel batches under the close personal attention of our brewers. The latest brewing equipment and technologies are seamlessly combined with traditional brewing methods to ensure consistently excellent taste, whether packaged in bottles or draft kegs.
Martin Cove Brewing Company is planning to expand its distribution to selected metro areas within the state of Oregon. Over the last three years, Martin Cove Brewing Company has become one of the city's most popular microbreweries, and aims to repeat this Oregon-wide. In addition, the company will introduce a new product, a traditional German Marzen style lager. Owner funding and internally generated cash flow will enable the expansion plan. Sales projections for the next three years are based on current sales success with the target customer base in southern Oregon. The effective implementation of this plan will result in sales revenues growing to $1.2 million by Year 3.
Martin Cove Brewing Company will apply the same sales strategy that built sales in Medford: remove all obstacles between you and the customer. Once the customer tastes the product, he or she will know the quality and craftsmanship that goes into every bottle of Martin Cove.
Martin Cove Microbrews will be available in bars as well as retail outlets, such as local markets and corner stores. It will also aim to distribute through supermarkets, but it is envisioned that getting shelf space in national supermarkets will be more difficult and more expensive.

Pasta Manufacturer Business Plan

The Pasta Tree is the only fresh pasta retail producer in the city of Springfield. For the past three years, the company has sold its fresh pasta products out of its own storefront and in the city's five natural food stores. The company has built a loyal consumer base with customers that have increased sales by 15% each year for the past three years. This year, The Pasta Tree will gross more than $300,000 in sales. This was generated from an initial investment of  $80,000.
The Pasta Tree is planning to expand its operation to include distribution to the major supermarket chains within the entire city. There are fifteen major supermarkets that operate in Springfield and over thirty-five smaller grocery stores that serve the metro and expanding suburban communities. To meet the increased product demand, The Pasta Tree will have to double production. Owner funding and internally generated cash flow will enable only a portion of the expansion plan. The Pasta Tree will secure a $50,000 loan to fund the expansion of its production facility. Sales projections for the next three years are based on current sales success with the target customer base in Springfield.
This plan will result in sales revenues growing to almost $420,000 by Year 3.
The Pasta Tree is located in a 3,000 square feet facility that operates as a storefront and a production facility. With the expansion, 3/4 of the area will be dedicated to production. The preparation of the new production space will cost $10,000. The new equipment will cost an additional $30,000. The company will also have to upgrade its packaging equipment to meet the new demand. This will cost $10,000.
The Pasta Tree will embark on a new marketing program in supermarkets and grocery stores that will be carrying its products. Eye catching in-store displays have been created to attract new customers. The displays will also hold discount coupons to promote sales to new customers.
In conjunction with the introduction of the products, The Pasta Tree will be a major sponsor of the Canal Run which raises funds for children's cancer research.

Peach and Apricot Farm Business Plan

IntroductionThe Wilson Family Peach Farm is a start-up venture for Dr. Jared Wilson and his wife, Susan. The Wilsons will be retiring from their regular professions starting in the spring of this year. The farm is intended to provide the Wilsons with an opportunity for post-retirement work and income, plus an opportunity for both of them to continue their individual research programs on agriculture and nutrition. Approximately 80 acres of prime stone fruit growing land is to be acquired, using owner's equity and a federal farm assistance loan. The farm will be jointly owned by Dr. and Mrs. Wilson and will be set up as a Limited Liability Company chartered in Georgia.
The Farm and its ProductsTheime fruit growing land approximately 3.5 northwest of Gainesville, Georgia. This is one of the best areas in the state for growing peaches and other stone fruit. The land gets plenty of sunlight, has excellent drainage, and an optimum soil pH.
The Wilson Family Peach Farm is planning to grow seven varieties of peaches and nectarines in the first three years including the Redhaven, Ishtara, Tenn Natural, Lovell, Bailey, Montclar, Starks Redleaf, and the famous Elberta. Once profitability has been established, the farm will begin to expand into more rare varieties.
The attractiveness of this crop is that fresh, high-quality peaches and nectarines are sweet tasting and low in calories, with one medium peach furnishing only about 37 calories. These fruit are a good source of Vitamin C and yellow-fleshed varieties are a good source of Vitamin A.
The MarketThe United States provides about one-fourth (25%) of the world's total supply of fresh peaches.
Peaches are the third most popular fruit grown in America. They account for more than 70 percent of all stone fruit produced in the U.S. South Carolina and Georgia follow California's 72 percent share of peach production at a far distance, averaging about 6 and 4 percent of the U.S. total over the past three years. Last year the Georgia peach crop totaled 115 million pounds and brought in $41.7 million. In addition to the Elberta, Georgia now produces more than 40 commercial varieties of peaches. Recent events has shown that the international market for peaches may be expanding, especially in Asia.
Wilson Family Peach Farm plans to sell its crop to three main buyers. In order to keep its profit margin high, the Wilsons will concentrate on selling the majority of its fruit to the local produce stands which are able to charge more for the higher quality fruit. Most of the rest of the fruit will be sold to local fruit packers and distributors that then resell the fruit to grocery stores. Finally any fruit that does not meet the quality/maturity standards of the other two buyers will be sold to canneries.
Financial ConsiderationsThe farm will be financed with a farm assistance loan and a significant amount of owner's equity. This will provide sufficient cash flow for the farm until it can start making revenue. Sales are expected to be sufficient to be profitable in year one, and have consistent growth through year three.
farm has pr