HomeFood & DrinkRecipes

How to Start a Gluten-Free, Organic, Vegan Food Business Online

BY READERS DIGEST

3rd Mar 2020 Recipes

How to Start a Gluten-Free, Organic, Vegan Food Business Online

There has been an increasing shift towards health and wellness, and now more than ever, people want to know where their food comes from and how it was made. And the rise of veganism is a representation of that.

There’s also a push towards more responsibility for how our eating habits are affecting the world around us, ensuring the sustainability of the planet, and making a positive and constructive contribution to our ecosystem.

The demand for vegan products has never been greater, and it has never been easier to start a vegan food business. People can now go direct-to-consumer, have their packaging done in days, and start moving units. However, there are a few things that you need to know if you want to make sure that you start your business on the right track. Here’s how you can start a gluten-free, organic vegan food business online.

Look at Different Business Models

The first thing you should do is look at what business model would be the best. You’re not obligated to start manufacturing your own product if you want to start a business. One option could be to start a delivery service, for instance.

You could build connections with vendors in your area, and charge them a small fee to be on your service. A great place to look is farmers’ markets. You could start a sort of online farmer’s market where you pick and bring produce directly to your clients. If you want to find inspiration, Top10.com has a list of top vegetarian delivery services you can pattern your business after. 

You could also consider options like farming. Through farming, you’ll have more control over your product, and make sure that it passes all certifications. For instance, wild rice is pretty easy to farm and is naturally gluten-free. Look at the demand for different products, and how much it would cost to produce.

Another thing that you can do is capitalize on a new trend. Organic quinoa comes to mind. Or you could come with your own organic hot sauce recipe. There, you could decide to go with a producer who sells organic peppers, farm them yourself, or use private labeling. Hot sauce also doesn’t require much packaging, has a very long shelf life, and can be shipped easily.

Start Small

1vegan1.png

One of the things you could do to make sure that there is a demand for your product is to start with small batches. If you’re trying to sell some organic GMO-free coffee, for instance, you could start with sites like Etsy, or sell a few units at the farmer’s market. Some merchants will also allow you to sell on consignment if you ask. You’ll then be able to see if you have a winner and ramp up your online marketing and production.

Make Sure You Have a Great Website and Brand

If you’re going to sell online, you have to make sure that your website looks great, but don’t overspend. Shopify stores are perfect for this and are great if you’re only selling one item.

The goal is to keep things as simple as possible. Try to strip the design down as much as you can, and don’t add too many categories. Minimal and clean website design is not only very popular, but also useful for diverting a visitor's attention to what's actually important.

Make sure that you find a way to capture their information voluntarily too. You can then use email marketing to let them know about new products, and send them special offers.

You also have to make sure that your branding and packaging are on point. In this case, you also want to be very careful as to which type of material you use for your packaging. If people find out that your product uses excessive and unsustainable packaging, it can and will backfire against you.

Go with Items That Are Inherently Gluten-Free

1vegan2.png

It’s much easier to find items that are gluten-free in the first place instead of transforming them. It’s also easier to manufacture from certified organic ingredients if you’re worried about compliance.

Fresh fruits or anything derived from fresh fruit will usually be gluten-free. The same goes for whole grains like oats, arrowroot, and tapioca. Learn how to use vegan gluten-free alternatives. 

Also, don’t be afraid to go for simple classics. Maybe there’s a need for lacto-fermented gluten-free organic pickles out there. Instead of trying to reinvent the wheel, go with staples that might be lacking in vegan options. Do some market research to see if you can fill a gap in the market. 

Now that you know a bit more about starting your online gluten-free, organic, vegan business, make sure that you brainstorm ideas, and don’t be afraid to be original. There is a great demand for top-shelf vegan sustainably produced food out there, it’s just a matter of time before you find your niche and make it happen.

Keep up with the top stories from Reader’s Digest by subscribing to our weekly newsletter.

 

This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you. Read our disclaimer

Loading up next...