The primary goal of every business is to make money and any distributor for international food can take a few steps to maximize their profit margin. International food wholesalers work with retail locations all over the world and they can also work with each other and groups that support the industry.

New products are created every day, so it is important for international food and beverage distributors to keep up with current trends and ideas. For example, it wasn't that long ago when many consumers in some countries were not even aware of organic foods and now they are among the most popular food items across the globe.

Start making the most of international food and beverage distributors and wholesalers by learning the best methods of getting what you need. To do this, you may want to:

1. Network with other international food and beverage distributors;

2. Attend events that are specifically for international food and beverage wholesalers;

3. Purchase low-cost wholesale international food and pass the savings on to your customers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Network with other international food and beverage wholesaler groups

Networking is one of the most important aspects of business. It is a good way to meet people, establish new partnerships and get ideas that can help make your company more profitable. Attend key events where you will be able to meet other international food distributor professionals. You can get assistance with networking and find out about special events by dealing with food marketing and related groups.

I recommend: Network with other retailers with help from the Food Marketing Institute. Read about upcoming events at Food&Beverage International.

Work with international food wholesalers

There are many companies that provide food and beverages on an international level. They supply low-cost food items to retail locations and offer the best prices available. With many of these businesses, the more you buy the lower your prices will be, so making bulk purchases can be beneficial.

I recommend: Deal with international wholesale food and beverage providers such as Delphic Wholesalers, CTC Food International and the International Food Wholesalers Group.

Deal with groups that support international food and beverage distributors and wholesalers

There are international groups that work within the food and beverage industry to ensure that companies adhere to all government regulations and to make sure those companies receive the best deals possible. They will also help to verify that your food items are up to all regulations within each individual country you deal with. Work with these organizations to obtain the many advantages they provide.

I recommend: Join The International Foodservice Distributors Association to work with government agencies and international food distributors. Partner with Food Technology Consulting International.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Making the most of international food and beverage distributors and wholesalers involves keeping your customers happy. Allow customers to make requests and suggestions for things they want to buy. They may desire items from UK food distributors, Mexican food distributors, European food distributors or locations all across the globe. Encourage them to come to you for these products by keeping plenty in stock at all times.
• •  Order international food wholesale from a variety of distributors to find the ones that work best with you, offer the lowest prices and provide the greatest variety.

Restaurants, hotels and the myriad other businesses that offer food and beverage as part of their services rely on international foods distributors to provide them with quality items to help their businesses run smoothly. International food and beverage distributors and wholesalers offer everything from fresh produce, quality meat and frozen items to restaurant booths, appliances and buffet stations. If this cog in the foodservice process breaks down, a restaurant will be hard-pressed to provide its customers with the service and food they’ve come to expect.

Some international food and beverage wholesalers provide equipment, supplies and food, while others focus on just the food or equipment. Determine your needs before you start shopping around for a distributor for international food. Here are a few options to consider:

1. Research international food wholesalers to find good prices on the items you need most to run your business.

2. Explore organic international food and beverage distributors to tap into this growing market.

3. Find international food distributors that specialize in supplying restaurants with goods and equipment.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check out items from international food wholesalers

International food wholesalers can provide everything you need to run your restaurant or other foodservice business, from fresh produce and dry and canned goods to cookware, appliances and servingware. What's more, international food distributors often offer unique products that your customers can't find elsewhere and may come back for.

I recommend: Prima Foods specializes in Greek, Italian, Eastern European and Middle Eastern products. Blue Planet Foods distributes products from more than 35 countries around the world. Items include olives, specialty vinegars and fish products.

Consider organic international food distributors

Recent studies have shown that the demand for organic food has doubled in the past 10 years and is expected to increase that much or more in the next 10. Get a piece of this pie by including items from an organic international food distributor in your foodservice offerings.

I recommend: OBE Organic is an Australian distributor that provides organic beef, including organic beef burgers and meatballs. King Soba is one of the UK food distributors that offers organic international products. It specializes in quality foods made from whole grains such as King Soba noodles and miso soups.

Zero in on international food distributors for restaurant equipment and supplies

Some companies cater specifically to restaurants by offering anything and everything a restaurant may need, whether the establishment falls under the category of fine dining, buffet, diner or bar and grill. Establish relationships with these international food wholesalers to get the service and items necessary for your business.

I recommend: International Restaurant Distributors supplies North America, South America and Central America with equipment such as charbroilers, freezers, furnishings and scales. Food Equipment International is another great source, with items such as commercial ranges, broilers and more.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When researching international food wholesale businesses, choose ones that can provide you with the quantities you need in a timely and affordable fashion.

Worldwide competition among international food distributors can be intense. Put yourself a notch above the rest by updating skills and gaining knowledge in key areas of the food and beverage industries. A more efficient operation can also translate to higher profits. In fact, distribution costs can account for 25% of a business' budget. Lowering costs and increasing customer service should be the goal.

While transportation, storage and finances are key to any distribution operation, a distributor for international food must also train on food industry standards and be familiar with food safety and other issues. It's some of the same issues your clients deal with on a daily basis. Remember, the more successful your client is, the more successful you will be, too.

Consider training in the following areas:

1. Inventory management for international food wholesalers.

2. International food wholesale information about finances.

3. International food and beverage distributors and wholesalers education and training on warehousing and transportation.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Join wholesale international food associations

A number of international food groups exist. Many offer regular trainings, annual meetings and other educational opportunities. Although it may require a membership fee, belonging to such an association can be helpful for ongoing continuing education for your operation.

I recommend: Find out more about the Food Processing Suppliers Association and the International Society of Beverage Technologists. Evaluate each to see if the membership costs outweigh the courses offered.

Sign up for international food and beverage distributor newsletters

Just like many others, the food industry is constantly changing with new ideas coming out about how to conduct business in a more efficient manner and new guidelines and laws you must adhere to. Keep on the cutting edge and stay informed with regular news updates provided by credible sources.

I recommend: Check out the current and past issues of the Food Insight newsletter from the International Food Information Council. You can sign up for several different newsletters from VertMarkets from those extended to the bakery and grocery industries to foodservice.

Receive customized training as an international food wholesaler

International food consultants offer a variety of training to suit your needs. Many will customize the training to your specific niche in the industry so that you get only the training you need to fully maximize your operations.

I recommend: Customised Food Industry Training provides just what its name claims, offering customized training on a variety of topics including brewing and dairy technology, lab and plant design, information resources, food ingredients and food processing. If it's food safety courses you're looking for, consult Verner Wheelock Associates.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Instead of just dropping off goods, get creative as an international food distributor. Many distributors have started offering some value-added services for their customers, including training for them in safety initiatives and marketing.

Key terms for international distributors and wholesalers of international foods and beverages abound because there are so many aspects from marketing to transportation to health and safety. The NASFT is a great resource on all aspects of the business of international distribution. Other terms here are designed to keep you aware of the governmental regulations surrounding the distribution of international foods and the health and safety to the public.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

NASFT

NASFT refers to the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade. The association is one of the most important food trade associations. It works with domestic and international wholesalers and distributors from around the world to encourage business growth and to foster grade.

I recommend: The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT) offers newsletters, magazines, product searches and loads of information and resources for and about food and beverage distributors and wholesalers.

Quality assurance companies

Quality assurance companies are outside agencies that test the quality of the food--important when the food and beverages were not manufactured in the US. Quality assurance companies act as a control to guarantee the quality and safety of food products.

I recommend: Quality Assurance International is certified by the USDA to conduct quality tests on products from companies outside the US. Its website describes what this company and others like it do to insure quality of products.

International Food Information Council Foundation

This is a non-profit that concerns itself with international food safety. Distributors and wholesalers might want more 'relaxed' conditions, while this organization is coming from a non-business perspective.

I recommend: International Food Information Council Foundation is but one major association within the international food and beverage distributors and wholesalers community. It concentrates on issues of food safety.

Supply chain

Supply chain refers to the moving a product from point A to point B. Consider olive oil from Italy--start with growing olives, bringing olives to the olive press, taking the oil to be bottled and so on and that's all before the olive oil has even left Italy. Distributors concern themselves with transporting their products and warehousing them.

I recommend: The definition of supply chain in business is supplied by BNet. Wondering why the products you want are more expensive? It is due partially to the increase in transport for the supply chain. This article at Supply Chain Management Review explains supply chain requirements as well as providing perspective on higher prices.

Recall management

Recall management is the process through which distributors handle recalls of products. Products can be recalled for any number of reasons. Problems like salmonella, for example, need to be contained without harm to anyone. Also, in recent years, bio-terrorism has been added as a reason food would need to be recalled.

I recommend: The International Food Distributors organization discusses recall management about three-quarters down the page. For more details about recalling food products, visit the Ohio State University website.

USDA food safety and inspection service and compliance

International food and beverage distributors and wholesalers must be inspected by the USDA. It is a big part of bringing their items to market.

I recommend: The USDA fact sheet describes its role in food recalls. Compliance Assistance and guidelines are published by the USDA.