Employees who undergo food and beverage distributors and wholesalers in Georgia 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 Georgia food wholesalers 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 Georgia 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. Georgia 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
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Take business courses needed to work for GA food distributors

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: Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts has an associate's degree program that provides the technical skills needed in the food service industry. Valdosta Technical College offers a full degree level program in culinary arts.

Learn the food safety regulations that Georgia food suppliers must follow

Food safety is an essential part of a food distributor's training. There are many facilities in Georgia that offer training classes and provide educational resources in the various aspects of food safety.

I recommend: GA Food Cert provides a certification course that meets the food safety requirements in Georgia. Scientia Food Safety Consulting provides food safety training in Georgia, including a Certified Food Manager course.

Learn through trade organizations for food and beverage distributors in Georgia

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 Georgia Restaurant Association offers current news and training events for food service organizations in Georgia. The Green Foodservice Alliance provides educational meetings and events for members who wish to create sustainable practices in the food services industry.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Students with mentors are more likely to pursue a long term career with Georgia beverage distributors. 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.

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

Georgia food wholesalers 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. Georgia 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 Georgia, 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.

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

Buy food and beverage from major food wholesalers in Georgia

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: Sysco is a leading supplier of food, preparation and serving items. A clickable map on Sysco's website displays its locations throughout the United States and Canada. Nash Finch is a leading wholesale food distributor in the United States. It has a clickable map of food distribution centers.

Purchase food wholesale from regional food distributors in GA

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

I recommend: Merchants Distributors is a wholesale grocery store distributor that supplies retail stores in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Southeast Wholesale Foods distributes a range of food items, non-foods and general merchandise to supermarkets throughout Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia.

Select local independent Georgia beverage distributors

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

I recommend: Atlanta-based Beverage Control primarily distributes soda, water and energy drinks. Midland-based Triangle Wholesalers distributes beer in west central Georgia.

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 Georgia 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.