Head to head
Six options food makers use most. Prices are the ranges each source publishes, not quotes.
Food broker
Published price3 to 5% commission (conventional grocery), 8 to 12% (natural, specialty); some charge $1,000 to $10,000 a month (a grocery broker cost guide, a natural-channel broker guide)
Great forIn-person calls on store buyers in an area they already cover. Paid mostly when you sell. Better than us at this.
Where it stopsBrokers usually do not handle shipping, invoicing or inventory, and one carrying many lines may not know yours well.
What we addA free shelf price check and first plan before you sign anything, so you go to a broker with your numbers ready.
Source: a CPG fees guide · Endless Commerce (accessed 2026-10-13)
Fractional CMO
Published price$3,000 to $25,000+ a month; hourly $150 to $500 (Tattvam Media)
Great forSenior strategy across every channel, and someone who can lead your team. Better than us at this.
Where it stopsMost are not food specialists, and the monthly fee starts before the first store says yes.
What we addFood-only tools and guides (shelf price, FSMA 204, GS1, private label) you can use today for free.
Source: Fractional Pulse · MarketerHire (accessed 2026-10-13)
Food and beverage marketing agency
Published pricePublished retainer tiers $1,499 to $6,000+ a month (Redefine Web); DTC food agencies $8,000 to $32,000 a month (Redefine Web)
Great forBrand, packaging design, social and paid ads, done by a full team. Better than us at design and ads.
Where it stopsRetainers are paid monthly, and most of the work is aimed at shoppers rather than store buyers.
What we addWork aimed at the buyer: buyer lists, outreach drafts you approve, and a monthly report.
Source: Redefine Web (self-published) (accessed 2026-10-13)
Outsourced SDR or appointment setting
Published priceNo published price range we could verify; quoted per contract
Great forVolume: many calls and emails, and meetings booked into your calendar. Better than us at raw volume.
Where it stopsGeneric B2B teams; we found no food-specific rate card, and they rarely know shelf pricing or retail readiness.
What we addFood-specific targeting and a readiness check, so the meetings are with buyers who fit your plant or product.
Source: an outsourced sales cost survey · GigRadar (accessed 2026-10-13)
Marketplace agency
Published priceNo published price range we could verify; quoted per contract
Great forMarketplace listings, ads and account health. Better than us here: we do not run online marketplace accounts.
Where it stopsThey work on one channel; store shelves and store-brand buyers are outside their scope.
What we addGrocery and store-brand routes, which a marketplace-only agency does not cover.
Source: amzdudes · Ecom Brainly (accessed 2026-10-13)
Doing it yourself
Published priceYour own time; free public guides from your state department of agriculture, extension offices and the SBA
Great forNo fees, full control, and you learn the trade first-hand. Often the right first step.
Where it stopsIt takes time away from making the product, and it is easy to price too low for the store and distributor cuts.
What we addFree tools that do the math for you, and a first plan written by a person when you want a second view.
Source: SBA business plan guide (accessed 2026-10-13)
