Lesson 1Retail and foodservice interfaces: supermarket, online grocery, foodservice procurement dynamicsExamines how ready meals reach consumers via supermarkets, e-grocery, and foodservice. Discusses category management, private label, menu cycles, tenders, pricing, and service expectations, plus data sharing and promotional planning.
Supermarket category roles and shelf placementOnline grocery assortment and last-mile issuesFoodservice tenders and contract structuresPrivate label versus branded ready mealsTrade promotions and demand forecastingLesson 2Interactions with at least three partner types: ingredient suppliers, contract manufacturers/co-packers, logistics providers, and retailersDetails collaboration models with ingredient suppliers, co-packers, logistics providers, and retailers. Explains contracts, specifications, service levels, data sharing, and how to manage risk, performance, and innovation across partners.
Selecting and approving ingredient suppliersCo-packer due diligence and contractsService level agreements with logistics partnersJoint business planning with retailersPerformance KPIs and supplier scorecardsLesson 3Food processing and manufacturing: unit operations for ready-to-eat frozen and chilled mealsDescribes core unit operations for chilled and frozen ready meals, from raw preparation to cooking, cooling, filling, freezing, and packing. Highlights process parameters, bottlenecks, and links to food safety and product consistency.
Raw material preparation and portioningThermal processing and cook–chill stepsRapid cooling, freezing, and crystallisationFilling, sealing, and in-line quality checksCleaning, sanitation, and allergen changeoversLesson 4Packaging and packaging suppliers: materials, barrier properties, MAP and freezing-compatible technologiesAnalyses packaging roles in safety, shelf life, and marketing. Reviews materials, barrier properties, MAP, and freezing-suitable formats, plus supplier qualification, migration testing, and sustainability and recyclability considerations.
Rigid and flexible packaging material optionsOxygen, moisture, and light barrier designMAP gas mixes for chilled ready mealsFreezer-safe formats and seal integrityPackaging supplier approval and auditsLesson 5Where a ready-to-eat meals company fits: business model, core activities, and touchpoints with other segmentsPositions a ready-meal company within the chain, outlining business models, value propositions, and core capabilities. Covers make-or-buy choices, co-packing, innovation, and how the firm coordinates with key external stakeholders.
Consumer value proposition and positioningOwn manufacturing versus outsourcing strategyCore capabilities in R&D and operationsRevenue streams and cost structure driversStrategic partnerships across the value chainLesson 6Raw material sourcing and ingredient suppliers: types, specifications, and quality requirementsCovers raw material categories for ready meals, including meats, produce, grains, and additives. Explains specifications, certificates, quality attributes, allergens, and supplier qualification, plus incoming inspection and release decisions.
Types of ingredients used in ready mealsTechnical and sensory specifications setupMicrobiological and chemical quality criteriaAllergen management and cross-contact risksIncoming goods inspection and sampling plansLesson 7Cold chain logistics and distribution: refrigerated transport, storage, and temperature control standardsExplains cold chain design for chilled and frozen meals, including temperature targets, equipment, monitoring, and regulatory standards. Addresses transport, warehousing, loading practices, and managing breaks in the cold chain.
Temperature ranges for chilled and frozen foodsRefrigerated transport equipment and loadingCold storage layout and handling practicesMonitoring, data logging, and alarmsManaging excursions and product dispositionLesson 8Regulatory and certification touchpoints across the chain: food law, HACCP, BRC/IFS, and third-party auditsExplores how food law and private standards govern each chain step. Covers HACCP design, GFSI schemes like BRCGS and IFS, certification cycles, and third-party audits, plus roles of regulators, notified bodies, and internal QA teams.
Key global and national food law requirementsHACCP plan development and validationGFSI schemes: BRCGS, IFS, FSSC 22000Audit preparation, conduct, and follow-upManaging nonconformities and corrective actionsLesson 9Overview of the end-to-end food value chain (farm to fork)Provides a structured view of the farm-to-fork chain, from primary production to consumption and waste. Shows how value, cost, and risk accumulate, and where a ready-meal producer interacts with upstream and downstream partners.
Primary production and agricultural inputsPost-harvest handling and primary processingSecondary processing and product assemblyDistribution, retail, and consumption stagesWaste, by-products, and circular economy
