Short, factual answers to the most common questions about co-packing in Canada and the Baron Co-Pack platform. Updated: August 2026.
What is co-packing?
Co-packing (short for contract packing) means entrusting the manufacturing, processing or packaging of your food product to a specialized company, the co-packer. The brand keeps ownership of its recipe and go-to-market; the co-packer provides certified facilities, equipment and production know-how.
What is Baron Co-Pack?
Baron Co-Pack is Canada’s first bilingual food co-packing marketplace. It connects food brands with verified co-packers, suppliers and service providers across the country. Searching the directory and submitting a production request are free for brands.
How do I find a co-packer in Canada?
The fastest way is to use a specialized directory like Baron Co-Pack: filter co-packers by product category, region and certification, then compare verified profiles (capabilities, minimum order quantities, certifications, contact person). You can also submit a production request describing your product and volumes to receive matching profiles.
How much does co-packing cost in Canada?
Cost depends mainly on the product category, the volume and the level of finishing required. Most co-packers charge per unit or per run, sometimes with set-up fees, and impose minimum order quantities (MOQ) ranging from a few hundred to tens of thousands of units depending on the equipment. Golden rule: confirm the minimum per run AND the expected annual volume before committing.
Is Baron Co-Pack free for brands?
Yes. Searching the directory, comparing profiles and submitting a production request is entirely free for food brands. Co-packers, suppliers and service providers pay a subscription to be visible.
How much does a Baron Co-Pack membership cost for a co-packer?
Three plans are available: Starter (free, one text listing), Growth ($79 per month) and Pro ($149 per month, unlimited and featured listings). Annual billing includes two free months. Registration is by invitation.
Which certifications should a co-packer hold?
HACCP is the minimum for any food product. For major retail, most retailers require a GFSI-recognized certification such as SQF or BRC. Depending on the product: organic, kosher, halal or gluten-free. Food processing requires a provincial permit (MAPAQ in Quebec, for example); to sell across provincial borders or export, the facility must hold a federal CFIA licence under the Safe Food for Canadians Act.
Which regions does the directory cover?
Baron Co-Pack covers all of Canada, in French and in English. As of August 2026, the directory lists more than 20 verified listings from companies based in four provinces: Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia and Nova Scotia. The directory grows every week ahead of the official launch.
What types of services can I find on Baron Co-Pack?
Three families: co-packers (beverages, contract beer canning, sauces and condiments, snacks, bakery, confectionery, freeze-drying, prepared meals…), suppliers (packaging, ingredients and raw materials) and specialized services (R&D and formulation, testing laboratories, HACCP and regulatory consultants, marketing and branding).
How do I become a member of Baron Co-Pack?
Registration is by invitation. Co-packers, suppliers and food-industry service providers can request an invitation on the site; the team validates every company before its listing goes live. The first companies accepted receive Founding Member status.
Are the directory listings verified?
Yes. Every listing is validated before publication: company existence, contact details, website and production information. The goal is for every profile in the directory to correspond to a real, reachable partner.
What is the difference between co-packing, co-manufacturing and private label?
In co-manufacturing, the partner makes the product from A to Z to your recipe. In co-packing in the strict sense, you supply the product in bulk and the partner packages it (bottling, canning, pouching). In private label, a manufacturer produces its own recipes under your brand. All three models can be found on Baron Co-Pack.