Logistics Planning for Small Bakeries & Businesses
Running a baking business involves planning that goes beyond the baked goods. Logistics and distribution are essential parts of running a food business, and requires careful planning to ensure that the treats arrive at their destination in perfect condition. There are many things to consider when planning out logistics, and this article dives into all things that business owners need to know.
Logistics Plannig
Temperature Control:
Temperature control is crucial to maintaining the freshness and quality of baked goods during shipping.
- Cooling Before Packing: Ensure baked goods are completely cool before packing to prevent condensation, which can lead to sogginess. Warmth can also cause delicate items like meringues or cookies to become chewy or lose their crispness.
- Insulation: Use insulated shipping containers, especially for temperature-sensitive items like chocolates or cream-based products, to protect them from temperature fluctuations.
- Temperature Recording: Consider using temperature recording equipment, like those found in refrigerated trucks, to provide detailed temperature records throughout the journey.
Structural Integrity:
Different baked goods have varying levels of fragility. There are many fragile cake types, and cake durability is crucial when shipping over long distances. Choose items that can withstand the rigours of shipping.
- Durable Options: Cookies, brownies, bars, biscotti, quick breads, pound cakes, fruitcakes, loaf cakes, and hardy pastries like baklava or shortcrust pastries are good choices for shipping.
- Avoid Delicates: Avoid shipping overly moist or creamy items like custard-filled pastries, highly decorated cakes, meringues, flaky pastries, tarts, pies, and soft frosted cupcakes as they are prone to damage during transit.
- Reinforcement Techniques: Employ reinforcement techniques like stands for tiered cakes or strategically placing support structures to enhance stability.
Preparing for Shipping:
Careful preparation is key to protecting your baked goods during transit.
- Airtight Containers: Use airtight containers to help maintain freshness and prevent staleness.
- Freshness Packets: Consider using silica gel packets or similar products to control moisture inside the packaging.
- Individual Wrapping: Wrap each item individually to provide extra protection and prevent them from sticking together.
- Dividers: Use cupcake holders or dividers for delicate items to prevent movement and damage.
Packaging:
The right insulated packaging is crucial for safe and presentable delivery.
- Sturdy Boxes: Use strong, corrugated boxes to protect goods from external pressure. This is crucial especially for cake shipping preparation.
- Food-Safe Materials: Ensure all packaging materials that come in direct contact with food are food-safe.
- Padding: Use padding and cake wrapping materials, such as bubble wrap, foam, or crumpled paper, to cushion the items and prevent breakage.
- Fill Empty Spaces: Fill any empty spaces in the box to prevent shifting during transit.
- Secure Sealing: Close the box securely with strong packing tape.
Reliable Distribution Network:
The right insulated packaging is crucial for safe and presentable delivery.
- Reliability: Choose couriers with proven track records of timely and safe deliveries.
- Handling Care: Ensure the courier is known for gentle handling, especially for delicate items.
- Temperature Control: Look for climate-controlled shipping options if needed.
- Cost and Quality: Balance cost with the quality of service.
- Customer Service: Good customer service can make a difference in handling unexpected situations.
- Coverage Area: Verify the courier’s coverage area to ensure they can reach your customers.
Scheduling Shipments:
Strategic scheduling helps minimise transit times and ensures timely deliveries.
- Optimal Delivery Times: Ship baked goods as soon as they cool off to maximise freshness.
- Avoid Peak Times: Avoid shipping on Fridays or days before holidays to prevent extended delivery times.
- Shipping Coordination: Communicate with the recipient to ensure someone is available to receive the package.
Additional Considerations for Small Businesses/Home Bakeries
- Legal Compliance: Understand and comply with food safety laws, licensing requirements, and labelling regulations in your area.
- Cost Management: Optimise packaging to reduce weight and shipping costs. Negotiate rates with courier services and consider tiered pricing based on order size.
- Customer Experience: Enhance customer satisfaction with personalised touches, such as handwritten notes or bonus treats. Provide clear communication and excellent customer service to build trust and loyalty.
- Marketing: Utilise social media, a user-friendly website, and collaborations with food bloggers or influencers to promote your business.
By meticulously planning and executing these steps, you can successfully ship your baked goods, delivering delightful treats that will impress your customers and build a strong reputation for your business.
Celesteyum Academy offers a range of diploma courses that prepare students with the foundations of baking needed to kickstart a long career in this industry. If you are considering starting your own baking business, check out our Entrepreneur course – not only do we train you in the foundations needed to master any baking technique, our experienced trainers teach you the fundamentals of starting a baking business, from budgeting to pantry management. Speak to us to learn more about this incredible course!
Shobha Bhat
Celesteyum Academy is the culmination of years of passionate baking and Shobha‘s dedication to teaching the best practices in the world of baking. Coming from a family deeply entrenched in the hospitality industry, her journey into the world of baking began a decade ago.
