# #58 Ingredient Sourcing 101

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2022-08-23
- Length: 48m
- Episode: 35
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2022-08-23-58-ingredient-sourcing-101
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/8901f5b7

## Summary

Lillian Cartwright, co-founder and CEO of ShelfLife, explains how emerging food and beverage brands can transition from informal sourcing channels like Amazon or Sysco to wholesale ingredient suppliers. She details the importance of preparing internal specification sheets, forecasting volumes, and understanding the supplier landscape, which includes brokers, distributors like Smirks, and flavor houses. Cartwright also covers critical logistics such as managing lead times, seasonality, warehousing costs, and negotiating payment terms and contracts to stabilize supply and pricing.

## Chapters

- [0:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2022-08-23-58-ingredient-sourcing-101#t=3) Introduction and Lillian Cartwright's Background
- [6:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2022-08-23-58-ingredient-sourcing-101#t=377) Transitioning from Informal to Wholesale Sourcing
- [11:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2022-08-23-58-ingredient-sourcing-101#t=660) Preparing Forecasts and Supplier Outreach
- [18:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2022-08-23-58-ingredient-sourcing-101#t=1129) Understanding the Supplier Landscape
- [24:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2022-08-23-58-ingredient-sourcing-101#t=1458) Logistics, Lead Times, and Seasonality
- [33:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2022-08-23-58-ingredient-sourcing-101#t=2005) Contracting, Pricing, and Payment Terms
- [41:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2022-08-23-58-ingredient-sourcing-101#t=2502) Using ShelfLife for Sourcing and Onboarding

## Topics

- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- ShelfLife (company)
- Sysco (company)
- Amazon (company)
- Smirks (company)
- McCormick (company)
- USDA (company)
- Craftsy (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [333 - The Chasm is Real: Dragging Packaging into the 21st Century with Jamie Lo from Laibl](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-12-18-333-the-chasm-is-real-dragging-packaging-into-the-21st-century-with-jamie-lo-fro) (People of Packaging)
- [Ep. 2 - Sourcing: A Broad Overview](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2023-08-03-ep-2-sourcing-a-broad-overview) (Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast)
- [What It Really Takes To Build a Food Business: Part 2](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-10-25-what-it-really-takes-to-build-a-food-business-part-2) (How I Built This)
- [Ep. 7 - Buying Stock](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2023-10-26-ep-7-buying-stock) (Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast)
- [Strategic Sourcing During Volatile Times w/ Jim Pratt](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-03-08-strategic-sourcing-during-volatile-times-w-jim-pratt) (The Manufacturing Executive)

## Citing this page

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