# #227 - Operations Ask-Me-Anything with Jamie Valenti-Jordan

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2025-12-16
- Length: 34m
- Episode: 229
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-12-16-227-operations-ask-me-anything-with-jamie-valenti-jordan
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/98e87e9c

## Summary

Jamie Valenti-Jordan, CEO of Catapult Commercialization Services, explains how early-stage CPG brands can navigate product development, sourcing, and manufacturing partnerships. He details the high costs of direct-to-consumer frozen logistics, recommending retail channels or large basket orders to mitigate dry ice and packaging expenses, and advises sourcing ingredients through local distributors rather than big-box retailers. Valenti-Jordan also breaks down the operational realities of co-manufacturing, highlighting the conflict between low minimum order quantities and tunnel pasteurization, and emphasizes the importance of transparent, long-term relationships over rigid contract enforcement.

## Outline

1. Introduction: Jamie Valenti-Jordan and Catapult Commercialization Services
2. Finding and Vetting Independent Product Developers
3. The Economics of Frozen Direct-to-Consumer Logistics
4. Sourcing Ingredients: Local Distributors vs. Restaurant Depot
5. Low MOQs vs. Tunnel Pasteurization in Beverage Co-Manufacturing
6. Reverse Engineering Co-Packer Pricing and Unit Economics
7. Building Relationships and Reviewing Co-Packer Contracts

## Topics

- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Logistics & fulfilment](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/logistics-and-fulfillment)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Catapult Commercialization Services (company)
- Food Finance Institute (company)
- Omaha Steaks (company)
- Institute of Food Technologists (company)
- Valley Baking (company)
- Restaurant Depot (company)
- Bev Source (company)
- Whole Foods (company)
- Celsius (company)
- Graza (company)
- EPG (company)
- Ilavi (company)
- Startup CPG (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [155: Identifying a Sourcing Partner for Overseas Manufacturing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2022-12-21-155-identifying-a-sourcing-partner-for-overseas-manufacturing) (Product Startup)
- [8: Packaging](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2016-01-28-8-packaging) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [Advice Line with Pete Maldonado of Chomps](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-05-02-advice-line-with-pete-maldonado-of-chomps) (How I Built This)
- [What It Really Takes To Build a Food Business: Part 1](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-10-18-what-it-really-takes-to-build-a-food-business-part-1) (How I Built This)
- [Advice Line with Chieh Huang of Boxed](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-04-16-advice-line-with-chieh-huang-of-boxed) (How I Built This)

## Citing this page

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