Maximize your profits by making the most of food and beverage distributors and wholesalers in California. These companies distribute food at wholesale prices to delis, caterers, grocery stores and restaurants.

California food distributors deliver foods within a specified delivery area and also may provide cash and carry services that allow you to pick up items directly from the warehouse.

Make the most of California food wholesalers by doing the following:

1. Get frequent price checks from food distributors, especially on seasonal items. A distributor that has a surplus of perishables will be more willing to negotiate on the price. You then can use these price breaks to plan promotions or make advance replenishment orders.
2. Use food distributors in California that specialize in foods from your customers’ ethnic groups. Many wholesalers also specialize in a particular type of food such as pizza ingredients, snacks or desserts.
3. Select food wholesalers that provide reliable food delivery. This will allow you to minimize lost sales due to lack of stock and make it easier to determine your optimum re-order point.
   

Action Steps
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Join a group for buying from California food wholesalers

Many small business owners pool their buying power to maximize savings when buying wholesale food. California buying groups can use their leverage to negotiate with distributors for the best possible prices.

I recommend: Huasna Valley Farms is located in Arroyo Grande and also provides information on growing methods. Lindencroft Organics in Ben Lomond provides a box of produce to its members each week and also publishes a newsletter.

Purchase food through a wholesale food California broker

Foodservice brokers represent manufacturers of food, food equipment and food supplies. They can help you find the best prices for a wide range of food products.

I recommend: FoodBrokerUSA is based in California and provides an FAQ regarding food service brokers. The Bay Brokerage Company in San Carlos serves the San Francisco area and provides a variety of links for food brokers.

Place orders with a local beverage distributor in California

A beverage distributor primarily sells water, soda, beer and sometimes wine. These beverages may not be available from a regular food distributor or wholesaler.

I recommend: John Lenore & Co. is based in San Diego and provides direct links to its beverage products. Beverage Warehouse in Los Angeles has an extensive catalog of beverages available for shipment within California.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Buy perishable foods from local California food distributors. California companies can make deliveries faster and help you make a profit on these items. Prompt deliveries also make it easier to manage your inventory.
• •  Identify any particular buying habits of your customers. Many California wholesalers deal in specific foods such as ice cream, cookies or chips.

Choosing the right California food wholesalers is essential for convenience and grocery store owners. Buying food wholesale in California is a highly competitive business with high customer expectations and complex factors that affect product replenishment.

Food distributors in California must allow you to implement proper inventory management. This is especially important in maintaining profitability on low-margin items where knowledge of customer buying patterns is critical when choosing food distributors. California food and beverage distribution can be further complicated by promotions, seasonal availability and the large differences between wholesale and resale purchase units.

When selecting one of the food and beverage distributors and wholesalers in California, choose one that will increase your bottom line by allowing you to do the following:

1. Maintain your stock levels to prevent lost sales by minimizing the impact of excessive shrinkage and expiration. Reliable delivery, therefore, is crucial for determining the optimum order quantity and re-order point.

2. Save on shipping costs through advance replenishment, order consolidation and optimized price breaks. This will help you plan promotions and other sales-related events.

3. Increase customer retention and service levels.

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Buy food from major California grocery distributors

Some food and beverage wholesalers cover most of the country and usually cater to grocery store chains. However, they also may be able to deliver to regional franchises and independent stores.

I recommend: C&S Wholesale Grocers has a nationwide network of distribution centers and lists on its website the warehouse locations by cities within each state. Performance Food Group distributes a range of brand name food and related products. It has broadline and customized divisions throughout the United States that it lists on its website by city and state.

Purchase food from regional California wholesalers

Regional suppliers usually serve smaller businesses in second tier markets. They may also distribute gourmet and other specialty food items.

I recommend: Sunnyvale Seafood supplies seafood, beef, pork, poultry and other groceries to the San Francisco Bay area. Pacific Food Distributors provides a range of grocery items to supermarkets in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska.

Select a local independent beverage distributor in California

Local distributors can provide more personalized service to smaller convenience and grocery store owners. This additional time and attention can create a business relationship not found with larger distributors.

I recommend: Santa Barbara-based Pacific Beverage Company supplies beer and wine to central California. Santa Rosa-based Liquid Investments is a wholesale beverage distribution company that serves California.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Identify any particular buying habits of your customers. For example, if your store caters to a particular ethnic group, you will want to use food and beverage distributors and wholesalers in California that specialize in foods from that ethnic group. Many wholesalers also specialize in a particular type of food such as ice cream, cookies or chips.
• •  Get frequent price checks from distributors of wholesale food. California grocery prices can be extremely volatile, especially on seasonal items. Additionally, a distributor that has a surplus of perishables will be more willing to negotiate on price and a regular customer is more likely to get a discount.

Employees who undergo food and beverage distributors and wholesalers in California education and training must learn to deliver food and beverages from the manufacturer to a food service operator. This may be a restaurant, grocer or another distributor that sells foods and beverages to the end consumer.

The training needed to work for food distributors of California primarily depends on the specific area of this industry that you are interested in. Food and beverage distribution jobs and training may be divided into three general categories:

1. Marketing. Food distributors in California must learn how to unite producers with consumers in a flexible and efficient manner. This is an especially complex process since many companies are typically involved in the manufacture of food.
2. Transportation. California food distributors also need to move food efficiently. The perishable nature of many foods means that they must frequently be kept at a constant temperature during transportation.
3. Food safety. The prevention of food borne illnesses through the proper handling, preparation and storage of food is of paramount concern to food distributors. This aspect of food distribution is highly regulated at both the federal and state level.
   

Action Steps
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Take business courses needed to work for distributors for wholesale food of California

There are many classes from colleges and online learning that teach students the business aspects of the food distribution business. These courses not only provide training in food distribution, but also help students keep up with changes in foodservice regulations.

I recommend: California State University Long Beach offers a Bachelor of Science degree in hospitality foodservice and hotel management with courses like sanitation, management and marketing that are helpful for California food distributors. The Culinary Institute of America at St. Helena offers a 30 week program for foodservice managers.

Become one of the California food wholesalers who is a Certified Food Manager (CFM)

A CFM is trained in the principles of food safety to produce safe food products. This accreditation is essential for many foodservice positions.

I recommend: California Food Safety trains CFMs in accordance with the California Health & Safety Code. American Food Safety Institute provides classes in California to become a CFM.

Learn through trade organizations for California grocery distributors

Professional associations frequently provide their own educational programs in food distribution. They also are an excellent way to establish contacts in the foodservice industry.

I recommend: The California Restaurant Association provides a schedule of training opportunities and other events for its members. The California Hotel & Lodging Association provides training materials of a variety of topics, including foodservice operations.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Students with mentors are more likely to pursue a long term career with food distributors in California. A mentor can assist the student in developing career goals, fostering professional relationships and providing crucial feedback during the educational period. Many professional trade organizations also actively promote recruitment and retention programs to maintain a skilled workforce in this industry. These programs frequently include scholarships for high school seniors and undergraduates.

When you are dealing with food and beverage distributors and wholesalers in California, you need to be aware of state regulations to be sure you are operating within the law. Know what licenses and permits you need to operate your grocery or convenience store.

Next, consider where you will buy your produce. Customers look for the freshest produce and meats, so purchasing from California food and beverage distributors and wholesalers not only means faster service, but perishable products will usually be fresher. Because California has an all-year-round growing season, obtaining seasonal produce is relatively easy.

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

California's Recycling Program

California's Recycling Program requires beverage distributors to pay an amount into the California Beverage Container Recycling Fund, according to the number of beverage containers they sell in the state. When customers recycle the cans or bottles, they receive a California Refund Value. The fund uses the money remaining from unreturned beverage containers to pay for recycling grants, curbside programs and other recycling activities.

I recommend: The State of California describes the way California's Recycling Program works.

Direct Store Delivery (DSD)

Direct Store Delivery saves stores money by eliminating the need for warehousing goods. Generally, distributors and wholesalers only do this for large orders, so unless you have high-quantity sales, it may not be an option. Many California stores use DSD for products with rapid turnover such as bread.

I recommend: Global Commerce Initiative discusses DSD processes.

California Food Safety

California Food Safety is a program that trains people to be Certified Professional Food Managers. Because the California Health & Safety Code requires food businesses to have at least one Certified Professional Food Manager, the training is essential.

I recommend: California Food Safety explains the California Health & Safety Code as well as the Certified Professional Food Manager program.

Three-tier system

California law requires beer to pass through a three-tier system: brewery, distributor and retailer. This encourages competition and reduces price fixing and excessive consumption. Because each tier must be independent, the system functions as a form of anti-trust law.

I recommend: The California Beer and Beverage Distributors discusses the history of the three-tier system.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

California, with its year-round-growing seasons, has many farms that use Community Supported Agriculture. The farms act as distributors to local customers, providing fresh produce in season. While many of the people who use CSAs are individual consumers, it can be a good source for wholesalers, distributors and restaurtants that are looking for top-quality produce.

I recommend: Lindencroft Farm explains CSA.

California Restaurant Association

The California Restaurant Association is a trade organization that brings together restaurant owners, distributors, wholesalers, and others in the food service industry. They provide products and training, lobby for more favorable laws, and keep members up to date on the latest news and regulations.

I recommend: The California Restaurant Association explains its benefits for both food providers and restaurant owners.