Helping Clients Reach Their Potential

ABOUT US

Food Solutions Group is a Western Canadian

based advisory firm that brings together the

top talents of the food industry, capable of

providing expertise and insight in all aspects

of the food processing and retail industry.

Our team has extensive national food retail and

manufacturing experience, and bring an insiders

perspective as senior leaders in their areas of speciality.

Collectively we have worked with hundreds of food

manufacturers, processors and growers of all sizes across

Western Canada.

We match the best talents with each business challenge,

collaborating for results driven problem solving that helps

you succeed.

What You Need, When You Need It

We understand that it may not be cost efficient to staff

in-house experts in all areas of your business. By using

Food Solutions Group, you can save money and tap into

a wealth of expertise that would be too costly to maintain

yourself. We are here to provide support where you need it,

when you need it most.

OUR TEAM

With over a decade of senior level experience in a $5 billion food retail and manufacturing organization, John is an award-winning food industry professional with a proven track record for developing effective strategies that creatively leveraged available resources to deliver results. John has experience directing high priority initiatives to optomize sales and lower expenses. John led the company’s public relations and government affairs strategies, as well as worked with Canada’s largest retailers on a wide range of issues.

John was also directly responsible for leading several new business initiatives, including buy local programs across Western Canada, designed to help local food suppliers enhance their business success. John is married with two children, and is a director on the boards of Winnipeg Harvest and St. Boniface Hospital Foundation.

Associates of Food Solutions Group have extensive national food retail and manufacturing experience, and bring an insiders perspective as senior leaders in their areas of speciality.

With an average of over 30 years’ experience, our associates have worked directly with retail operators, food manufacturers, processors and growers of all sizes across Western Canada.

From ingredient sourcing to product shipping and everything in between, our experts understand how to help food processors and manufacturers achieve their very best.

Our supply chain insiders understand how to best get products to market. While our category director insiders understand how to win over a buyer, and secure private label agreements.

Finally, our retail, food service and food safety associates have a playbook to help clients respond to a broad range of business challenges.

As a senior manager for one of Canada’s largest grocery chains, Saverio led a team of 1,300 associates responsible for delivering over $300 million in annual sales. Highly respected in the industry, his record of success operating a network of retail stores in a diverse range of geographic environments, has resulted in a practical understanding of all aspects of the grocery industry.

Saverio brings to his clients over 30 years of retail insights and experience, and is well positioned to help food suppliers build sustainable relationships with retailers, as well help retailers achieve higher performance. Saverio is married with a young daughter and is actively involved in the community. He enjoys golf and serves as a member of the Food and Beverage Committee at St Charles Country Club.

OUR ASSOCIATES

PRINCIPALS

John Graham Saverio Castagna

Whether you’re getting ready to take that first step into retail,

or looking to enhance your relationship with national chain

stores, our experts can help take your business to the next level by

focusing on a number of key areas. These areas include:

OUR SERVICES

FOOD PROCESSORS, MANUFACTURERS

AND GROWERS

• Advertising Programs

• Branding Strategies

• Broker Selection & Management

• Customer Sourcing & Development

• Distribution Channel Evaluation

• HACCP Review & Planning

• Market Research

• Nutritional Label Review & Refinement

• Packaging Design & Compliance

• Pricing Analysis

• Process Engineering

• Publicity & Promotion

• Regulatory Audits

• Retail Marketing Plan

• Retail Placement Strategies

• Retail Promotional Strategies

• Retail Relations

• Website & Social Media Marketing

Successful retailers understand that loyalty can’t be built on price alone. It requires a superior strategy, strong merchandising, efficient operations, solid marketing, a healthy organization and more.

Our experts understand this, and as leaders in their specific areas of expertise, they can help move your business to the next level by focusing on a number of key areas. These areas include:

RETAIL MANAGEMENT

• Business Plan Review & Development

• Construction & Renovation Management

• Event Planning & Meeting Facilitation

• Expense Analysis & Financial Essentials

• Food Delivery & Northern Shipping

• Fuel Operations

• General Management

• Human Resources Programs

• Inventory Controls & Management

• Marketing and Promotion

• Merchandising Practices

• Retail Coaching and Rehabilitation

• S.W.O.T. Analysis

• Safety Training

• Sales Training

• Security & Theft Reduction

• Service Standards Development & Training

• Shelf Optimization Programs

• Vendor Negotiations

FOOD SAFETY

Your Company’s reputation in the marketplace is dependent upon the safety and quality of the products you make, grow or sell. We understand this and have extensive restaurant, retail and manufacturing food safety experience. We help you develop, maintain or enhance your food safety practices, and safeguard your business’s reputation from food safety risks.

RESTAURANTS, RETAIL AND FOOD SERVICE

Trusted, professional and affordable access to expert third party food safety services.

• Auditing & Compliance Reporting• Onsite Employee Training • Food Safety Plan Reviews • Food Safety Program Development

FOOD PROCESSORS AND MANUFACTURERS

Extensive experience and understanding that ensures your customers can feel confident about your commitment to food safety.

• Auditing & Compliance Reporting• Employee Training • Food Safety Plan Reviews• Food Safety Program Development• HACCP Systems• Outsourced Food Safety Specialists

OUR SERVICES

• Pest Control Programs• Product Design• Recall Management & Recovery• Recall Reputation Management• Solutions to Food Safety Challenges

SEMINARS:

We develop seminars created specifically for food producers seeking to build stronger relationships within the grocery retail industry. Each presentation is tailored to ensure the topics are most beneficial to the participants. Some of the many topics we can present on include:

• An insider’s look at the Western Canadian Grocery retail landscape• The road to retail – preparing for success• Top 10 trends in food retailing • A retailer’s perspective on food safety• The language of retailers• Broker, Distributor or Direct – What’s my best option?• Top 10 mistakes companies make dealing with retailers • 8 Ways to get your product noticed by retailers• 7 costs you need to know about when doing business with retailers• Fundamentals of a great retail marketing plan• How to grow your sales within a current retail partner • A retail executives’ tips for touring a store

John Graham Principal

(204) 918-9807

johnbellgraham@shaw.ca

Saverio Castagna Principal

(204) 955-3314

fourcastpm@shaw.ca

www.foodsolutionsgroup.ca