Summary: The Contract Manufacturing Alliance is involved with products (start-ups, emerging brands, our own) relating to the in-store deli. The in-store deli is one of the most visited sections of the grocery store (also natural retailer, mass merchant, Military commissary). In-Store Delis carry a mix of prepared foods, salad bars, behind-the-counter options, cheeses, meat snacks, hummus and much more.
New Trends Include Meal Kits
Meal kits are one area that shows opportunity to expand sales in that department, as more and more retailers add either their own store-made variations or partner with branded meal kit providers. Sales of these items have grown 26% in supermarkets in the past year, according to Nielsen research. 
Summary: Our co-founders have legacy in the meat business within their own family. They had a chain of meat markets in the 1930’s to 1950’s (Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana) and were in the meat distribution business in Southern California later-on.
More recently they have been developing products that are ideal meat department add-ons (organic spices and BBQ sauces for example).
Meat Departments Meet and Greet Platform (soon):
The Contract Manufacturing Alliance is creating a platform specific for new start-up and emerging brands with products that maybe ideal for the meat department (www.MeatDepartments.com).
Meat Department Category Managers will soon be able to look over new products that they may want to bring into their stores.
Plant-Based Meat Substitutes: Also, they are expanding their content to its websites, ordering platforms and TV show partners relating to the new plant-based meat substitutes (especially for introductions into meat departments nationwide.
The Contract Manufacturing Alliance’s Programming
The Contract Manufacturing Alliance (www.ContractMFG.org):The Contract Manufacturing Alliance was established as a collaboration among consumer industry groups dedicated to helping brands of all sizes form effective contract manufacturing partnerships. By fostering these connections, CMA empowers brands to streamline their production and bring innovative products to market. In The Store (www.InTheStore.org): CMA developed In The Store to educate consumer brands about the intricacies of the in-store experience. This program also provides opportunities for brands to connect directly with the appropriate category departments to optimize their retail placement.
Wiki CPG (www.WIKICPG.org):
CMA’s Wiki CPG serves as a comprehensive educational platform offering tools and resources for consumer brands. Covering topics like manufacturing, marketing, sales, logistics, and social media, it supports brands at every stage of their business journey.
Brand Previews (www.BrandPreviews.com):
CMA is launching Brand Previews, an innovative matchmaking tool designed to connect consumer brands with the most suitable retail categories. This platform streamlines the process of getting brands in front of the right buyers and decision-makers.
What is the Retail Cooperative:
Created by Trusted Consumer Outlets, the Retail Cooperative is a full service-consumer product design and manufacturing agency. With its own on-site 150,000 square feet facility (design, packaging, manufacturing, warehousing, distribution) available to customers.
The Retail Cooperative (Trusted Consumer Outlets) uses mostly recycled materials. Recycled materials are crucial for reducing waste in landfills and conserving natural resources. It also lowers the carbon footprint by consuming less energy during manufacturing and enhancing brand image by appealing to eco-conscious consumers.
www.RetailCooperative.com
What is the Contract Manufacturing Alliance:
Founded by the Contract Packaging Association (ContractMFG.org) and the Co-Packing Network the Contract Manufacturing Alliance was created to be an expansion of the CPA’s RFQ Tool. The RFQ Tool helps start-up and emerging brands with their co-packing needs.
The CPA’s Request for Quote (RFQ) tool allows an automated submission to CPA Members to securely submit their project details and needs. Your Request for Quote will be dispatched to CPA Members whose capabilities match your project needs, and if they can assist you, will contact you directly about their services and capabilities. RFQ Tool
In The Store: Concentrating on these in-store sections
Retail Channels and Formats (www.RetailFormats.com): We work with a long-list of retail channels including:
Our Own Media:
The Co-Packing Network itself has over 35-years of media experience (TV shows, OTT). Examples of our work includes:
We Have Our Own Magazine:
Contract Packaging, published three times each year by PMMI Media Group (owners of Packaging World magazine), has the privilege and the advantage of being the official publication for the Contract Packaging Association, positioning CP journalists for optimum access to and trust of key influencers who are driving the leading edge of the industry.20,000 qualified packaging professionals receive each edition of CP. These professionals are individuals who have indicated that they have purchase involvement in contract packaging and related services and products. Magazine recipients are also contract packagers, who are CPA members. ContractPackaging.org
