Frequently Asked Questions
We can provide flexible packaging, source boxes and other add-ons such as desiccants, however we do not source ingredients or food products. That said, our team is resourceful, and we would be happy to offer any advice we may have.
We’re a one-stop shop at Rootree, offering design, printing, and packing! While you will see the most benefits from using Rootree as a total packaging solution, our packaging manufacturing and co-packing departments operate independently. No matter the source of the materials, we will be happy to fill your needs (pun intended). We can pack not only pouches but also rigid packaging and roll stock. We can also handle the assembly of retail cartons and stands!
Within any successful partnership, communication is key. The more information and forecasting we can get from our clients, the better we can serve them. This usually translates to a contract agreement where the client commits to certain volume ranges at specific frequencies.
There are also opportunities to find efficiencies with subtle process changes which can provide cost savings. Ask your sales representative for recommendations for your specific application.
The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarks different food safety standards around the world. It was founded in the early 2000’s in response to redundant auditing and food safety concerns at the time. BRCGS, IFS, FSSC 22000, and SQF are some of the standards worldwide in the food manufacturing industry that are GFSI benchmarked and, therefore, cross-compatible. BRCGS is a UK-based standard, while SQF is based in North America. We hold a Level 2 SQF Certification for all food-related co-packing activities and continue to maintain an “Excellent” score on every audit.
Yes, we lease pallet spaces in our temperature-controlled SQF-certified facility. We can store pouches, boxes, or finished products.
We can hold bulk products that have been scheduled for production, but we do not offer storage and warehousing for these materials. Additionally, to mitigate food-safety risks associated with storing externally sourced food products, we minimize the duration of storage for scheduled production runs. We can, however, store finished products upon completion if this is a service that you require.
No matter what you pack, a certain percentage of process waste and an overweight tolerance needs to be factored into your consumption. Process waste is often negligible, lost through dust or sanitation activities.
The CFIA takes products containing less than their net weight quite seriously, and since there is no such thing as a dosing machine that fills every unit with the exact quantity required, an overweight tolerance must be taken into account.
The tolerance will vary based on many factors, including product characteristics, net weight, and machines used. In general, we will ask for 10% extra product to be sent to ensure that order quantities are met, whereas the averaged tolerance lands around 2% for products packed in volumes greater than 500 grams, and 5% for volumes between 50 and 500 grams.
Short answer: Yes, this is very helpful and sending samples will expedite the quoting process.
Longer answer: In some cases, it is possible for us to quote without a product sample, depending on your product. Flour-based baking mixes, for example, will run very similarly to each other, and we can make some experienced assumptions. However, most products are unique and require an applications specialist from our team to evaluate how the product will run and what equipment will be used, which will impact your quote. If we quote a project without a product sample, the quote will be based on our industry experience, and the quote will be subject to change if any assumptions made are found to be incorrect.
We use a digital tracking system to track all production activities, records, and inventory. An item code accompanies every sub-component we consume or finished good we produce. The item codes follow this format: Client Name – Item Category – Net Weight and SKU identifier. For example, a finished good would read TIMELYHARVEST-COMPLETED-150GMATCHATEA. The product consumed in filling this finished good would read: TIMELYHARVEST-PRODUCT-MATCHATEA, and the pouch would read: TIMELYHARVEST-POUCH-150GMATCHATEA
Before we schedule any project and the ‘countdown’ starts, the following requirements must be met:
- All compliance documents are correctly filled out and returned to us.
- Sales order is signed, and a 50% deposit has been received.
- All subcomponents for the job have been received.
Due to the various external factors affecting the arrival of subcomponents, which are completely outside of our control, we cannot schedule a job until all the materials for the entire job are in our warehouse, including product(s), packaging, boxes, and any other specific items for the project.
Once the above requirements are met, our team will provide you with a timeline for completion of your project. Any timeline that we may provide before these requirements are met is forecasted and not final, as we operate on a “first come, first served” basis.
We take pride in offering the lowest possible minimums, while maintaining cost-effective service. This usually translates to approximately 2,500 units per order, with the option of breaking that up into multiple SKUs.