Hiland Global Consulting has long been a premier partner for food manufacturers, serving as a bridge between companies and certifying bodies for Kosher, Organic, Non-GMO, and Gluten-Free standards. While they’ve built a reputation as the “fixers” for complex regulatory challenges, 2025 marks a strategic shift for the firm.
We recently caught up with Chad Lewis, Hiland Global’s Chief Operating Officer, to talk about this evolution: a new subscription service designed to make expert support affordable for everyone—from small startups to large multinationals.
Making Expertise Affordable
OU Kosher: Chad, it’s been a while since we spoke with founder Daniel Masters. What has changed at Hiland Global?
Chad Lewis: I’ve been with Hiland for six years, and I’ve recently taken on the COO role to manage day-to-day operations. We realized that food companies are at very different stages—some are massive conglomerates, others are just starting out. Our goal is to fit the needs of all those clients, regardless of which certifications they require.
OU Kosher: You’re launching a new subscription service. What problem does that solve?
Chad Lewis: Traditional consulting fees—which can be thousands of dollars per project—often scare away smaller companies. To fix this, we created a subscription model. Instead of a large upfront bill, companies can pay a flat monthly fee, potentially starting as low as $100 or $200. This allows a company to have us at their disposal for questions across any certification standard without breaking the bank.
“This service works for two very different types of companies: startups who need an ‘in-house’ expert, and large companies that need a safety net for their internal teams.”
OU Kosher: So, this is designed for startups?
Chad Lewis: Exactly. Startups often lack the budget for a full-time Quality Assurance (QA) person, but mistakes in certification are expensive. This subscription lets you treat us like your “in-house” expert, giving you a “runway” to learn the space while ensuring compliance.
Solving Global Supply Chain Challenges
OU Kosher: Does this model also work for large companies that already have their own teams?
Chad Lewis: Absolutely. Even large companies get overwhelmed. For example, we worked with a North American client with over 60 plants who was juggling various certifications across four different sectors. It was a logistical mess. We consolidated their certifiers, streamlining operations significantly.
In another case, by simply optimizing the inspection schedule for a client in Canada, we helped save them nearly $1 million in profitability. The subscription ensures we are always there to catch these inefficiencies.
OU Kosher: You mentioned that regulations are always changing. Can you give us a recent example?
Chad Lewis: We recently had a project involving a “red dye” ingredient. Due to regulatory changes, the version the client was using was no longer compliant. It wasn’t a simple fix. We had to find a farm in Brazil, ship the raw material to the EU for processing to avoid tariffs, and then import it to the US. That is the kind of complex problem we solve so the client doesn’t have to navigate it alone.
Technology and Efficiency
OU Kosher: How does technology play a role in managing these certifications?
Chad Lewis: There is a big difference between agencies. Many sectors still rely heavily on email and PDFs, which is slow. But the kosher agencies, specifically the OU, are much further ahead.
OU Kosher: How so?
Chad Lewis: The OU’s databases are excellent. You can submit everything right to the OU Direct portal, which makes it much faster for you to review. In other sectors, I might have to send six emails just to get a label approved. With the OU, the technology is streamlined.
“The OU’s databases are really good… It makes the review time much faster compared to other sectors that still rely on email.”
Advice for Growth
OU Kosher: What advice do you have for companies just starting their certification journey?
Chad Lewis: Pick one or two key certifications to start—don’t try to do everything at once. Focus on the ones that matter to your specific clientele. Also, don’t be afraid to use a co-packer; they often have the systems in place to keep you safe.
Most importantly, don’t wait until there is a problem. It is much more costly to correct a mistake than it is to pay a small amount to stay ahead of it. That is the heart of why we launched this subscription—to make it easy for companies to stay ahead.
Conclusion: A Partner for the Future of Food
As our conversation revealed, the journey from a raw ingredient to a finished product is filled with regulatory hurdles. By moving to a subscription-based support model, Hiland Global is ensuring that companies don’t have to face these challenges alone.
Whether you are a startup looking for your first certification or a legacy brand optimizing a global network, the message for 2025 is clear: accessible expertise is the key to sustainable growth.
To learn more about Hiland Global Consulting and their new subscription services, visit www.hilandgc.com.