Wholesale Food Suppliers Are Extremely Important To The Food Industry
- By Phoenix Delray
- Published 12/15/2011
- Food and Drink
- Unrated
Wholesale food suppliers are vital to the food industry because they get manufactured food products into retail stores then into consumer s hands. Wholesale food suppliers can provide meals that are convenient, affordable, easy to distribute and generally are nutritionally balanced and taste good. If you are interested in starting a wholesale food distributor business, it can be very profitable but it takes quite a bit of planning and resources.
To start, you must make a decision on what kind of food you want to distribute. Your decision will determine the amount of building space you will need and the equipment you will need such as refrigeration, as an example. If possible, visit other wholesale food suppliers to see how their warehouse space is used and the method they use to inventory their stock. You will need to go to the county clerk and get a tax ID number as well as an assumed name certificate. In some areas, you may also need to get a resale license. Next, get an employer identification number from the IRS website.
You also need to file with your particular state as a sole proprietor, corporation, limited liability partnership or limited liability corporation. It is also important that you get in touch with local zoning boards, health authorities and other government offices to apply for the proper licenses, permits and other documents needed to start your wholesale food supplier business. A flood, fire or other disaster could put you out of business fast, so do not skimp on protection and limit your coverage to just liability. You may be asked to show proof of your insurance so be prepared to do that.
You will need
to buy or rent a warehouse capable of housing your business and a realtor can help you with that process to make it easier on you. They know just where to go to find just what you need. Many large cities have specific areas that group seafood, produce and meat distributorships in the same neighborhood. This type of community has an advantage because the available buildings are already set up with adequate loading dock space and may already be racked for food storage or has commercial refrigeration in place.
Generally, an ordinary warehouse will not suffice for most types of manufactured food, especially produce and pasteurized products. You will also need to buy or lease commercial trucks to move the food to other parts of your state and the country once your whole food distribution company is established. Before leasing or buying any trucks, remember they will need to be temperature controlled. When you hire drivers, it is vital that all drivers have commercial licenses.
Contact food manufacturers to set up accounts to purchase their product in bulk. Get in touch with companies that sell food products that are very marketable and that are in demand so develop a source list. Once you have built up a good reputation, the food manufacturers will come to you. Make sales calls to retail grocers and shops in your area to set up delivery times and days. Remember to keep in touch with department managers regularly since seasonal product changes and consumer buying habits change. Be prepared to make emergency deliveries if a store runs low on product; this is great customer service. Remember, as a wholesale food supplier, communication and outstanding customer service is the key to success in this field, so make frequent contact with retail customers to help build lasting relationships.
To start, you must make a decision on what kind of food you want to distribute. Your decision will determine the amount of building space you will need and the equipment you will need such as refrigeration, as an example. If possible, visit other wholesale food suppliers to see how their warehouse space is used and the method they use to inventory their stock. You will need to go to the county clerk and get a tax ID number as well as an assumed name certificate. In some areas, you may also need to get a resale license. Next, get an employer identification number from the IRS website.
You also need to file with your particular state as a sole proprietor, corporation, limited liability partnership or limited liability corporation. It is also important that you get in touch with local zoning boards, health authorities and other government offices to apply for the proper licenses, permits and other documents needed to start your wholesale food supplier business. A flood, fire or other disaster could put you out of business fast, so do not skimp on protection and limit your coverage to just liability. You may be asked to show proof of your insurance so be prepared to do that.
You will need
Generally, an ordinary warehouse will not suffice for most types of manufactured food, especially produce and pasteurized products. You will also need to buy or lease commercial trucks to move the food to other parts of your state and the country once your whole food distribution company is established. Before leasing or buying any trucks, remember they will need to be temperature controlled. When you hire drivers, it is vital that all drivers have commercial licenses.
Contact food manufacturers to set up accounts to purchase their product in bulk. Get in touch with companies that sell food products that are very marketable and that are in demand so develop a source list. Once you have built up a good reputation, the food manufacturers will come to you. Make sales calls to retail grocers and shops in your area to set up delivery times and days. Remember to keep in touch with department managers regularly since seasonal product changes and consumer buying habits change. Be prepared to make emergency deliveries if a store runs low on product; this is great customer service. Remember, as a wholesale food supplier, communication and outstanding customer service is the key to success in this field, so make frequent contact with retail customers to help build lasting relationships.
Phoenix Delray
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