About First Production Food Innovation

We help food companies turn ideas into successful, scalable products. Founded by Jim Hastings, a food scientist and R&D leader with over 25 years of experience developing products for brands such as Sun-Maid, Plum Organics, Olam Food Ingredients and Kerry. At First Production Food Innovation our mission is simple: to bring great ideas to life – efficiently, creatively, and with technical precision.

Jim built First Production Food Innovation to bridge the gap between ideation and first production. Having led teams that launched hundreds of products and delivered millions in cost savings, he knows what it takes to move from concept to commercialization without compromising quality or brand integrity.

Our expertise spans every stage of product development, from early-stage ideation and innovation pipeline design to formula optimization, prototype development, and scale-up support. Whether you’re a startup looking to develop your first product or an established company seeking to refresh your portfolio, we provide hands-on technical guidance and strategic insight to help you achieve your goals.

As a veteran-owned business, First Production Food Innovation stands for discipline, reliability, and follow-through – values that define every project that we take on. We partner with clients as an extension of their team, ensuring that each product we touch is ready for its first production – and positioned for lasting success.

Testimonials from former clients and colleagues:

I've had the pleasure of working with Jim and have consistently been impressed by his deep technical expertise in food science. His work on clean label, natural product platforms has been both innovative and impactful, demonstrating a strong understanding of both consumer trends and scientific rigor. He is exceptionally well-organized and brings clarity and structure to complex projects. His communication skills are top-notch—he’s able to translate technical concepts into actionable insights for cross-functional teams, making collaboration seamless and productive. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to drive meaningful progress in clean label product development.

Natalie Roesler, Sr. Director of Innovation at Sweet Harvest Foods, Nate’s Honey

Jim Hastings is a results-driven professional with a rare combination of intelligence and approachability. I've had the privilege of working with him at two different companies, giving me a comprehensive view of his abilities. His impact is undeniable. At Sun-Maid, his leadership went far beyond simply managing a team. He fostered an environment of continuous improvement and strategic thinking, directly leading to 13 successful product launches. Furthermore, his commitment to developing his team resulted in five well-deserved promotions, showcasing his dedication to nurturing talent.

Sydney Stout Valla, Business Development Manager at Sun-Maid Growers

Jim is a top-notch innovator and scientist. With a wide breadth of expertise, he is a true asset leading R+D organizations. Jim and I worked together on several projects at ofi. He constantly impressed me with his out-of-the-box thinking. In addition, I admired the way he lead teams. He found a way to motivate senior employees and was a great mentor to younger, less experienced employees.

Jill Houk CRC, Research and Development Chef at Culinary Culture

Jim’s technical knowledge in ingredients is unparalleled. His expertise spans sweet, savory, and textured systems, making him a go-to resource for solving complex challenges and driving innovation. Whether it was developing new formulations or optimizing existing ones, Jim’s insights were always grounded in a deep understanding of the science and application of ingredients. What truly sets Jim apart is his commercial knowledge and strategic thinking. He has a keen understanding of market dynamics, customer needs, and industry trends, which he leverages to drive business growth. Jim’s ability to align technical innovation with commercial opportunities has consistently delivered impactful results for the organization.

Kwadwo Brifo, Managing Director at Freddie Hirsch Nigeria

Jim is a technical expert in spices and condiments, during his time at ofi he worked on various spices related initiatives, working alongside sales developed pipeline of projects and conducted weekly stage gate meetings for on time project delivery. Jim is a great people leader, he built the spices team by recruiting and training the talent. His cross-functional collaboration and calm demeanor are unique skills which helped him take-on high profile projects to completion.

Sonali Dalvi, VP and Head of Innovation at Kodiak Cakes