Employees who undergo food and beverage distributors and wholesalers in Louisiana 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 Louisiana 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 distribution in Louisiana requires uniting 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. Selling food wholesale in Louisiana also requires the ability 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 sell Louisiana wholesale food

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: The Louisiana Culinary Institute offers an Associate in Occupational Studies Degree in Culinary Arts. The John Folse Institute at Nicholls State University offers a Bachelor of Science and an Associate of Science in Culinary Arts.

Learn the food safety regulations that food distributors in Louisiana must follow

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

I recommend: The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals provides the information needed to obtain food safety certification in Louisiana. McNeese State University offers the Food Safety Certification course that is required in Louisiana.

Learn through trade organizations for food suppliers in Louisiana

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 Louisiana Restaurant Association provides seminars and other types of education for its members. The Louisiana Dietary Managers Association offers a newsletter and other educational resources for the food service industry in Louisiana.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Students with mentors are more likely to pursue a long term career with Louisiana wholesale food 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.

For restaurant or food service managers, getting supplies from food distributors in Louisiana is critical. If you’re in the state of Louisiana, you want to rely as much as you can on local suppliers to cut down on shipping. For all kinds of bulk, wholesale or specialty food and beverage purchases, you can find suppliers online located in-state to get food and drink to your shop for resale.

Whether it’s alcoholic beverages, sodas, table foods or bulk orders for the kitchen, get results for local shipments you can rely on for the day to day operation of your business. Business and restaurant managers use wholesale or specialty food deliveries:

1. To re-stock a kitchen where goods in the pantry are running low.

2. For one-time use at a catering job or event where a good Louisiana wholesale food distributor purchase can improve the bottom line for the client’s bill.

3. For ramping up purchasing from food distributors in Louisiana before opening a new shop or café where an initial buy will make or break a start-up budget.

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

Find wine and beer distributors in Louisiana

For getting a variety of wines or beer to your shop, use wholesale beverage distributors in Louisiana to arrange your necessary drinks volumes. State or local shops can get you deals on quantities of libations for a restaurant or a one-time event.

I recommend: Southwest Beverage sells wholesale beer orders out of Lake Charles, Alexandria and Leesville. Purveyor's of Fine Wines, a wine distributor in New Orleans, can help with wine purchases on many quality varieties.

Get orders from a food distributor in Louisiana

When it comes to wholesale foods, you have a lot of options. Look for wholesale food distributors in Louisiana with good bulk prices or convenient services you can rely on for day to day operation of your restaurant, café or other food service venue.

I recommend: Get wholesale produce and more at Freshko, a Lake Charles, LA business. Find more from P.A. Menard, another LA food service distributor: you'll need to login to participate in wholesale offers.

Get local cuisine with food distribution, Louisiana style

For other kinds of purchases, you may want to take advantage of the specialty foods the state of Louisiana is famous for. Try buying from shops that specialize in local cuisine from Louisiana food manufacturers to get an authentic Louisiana style purchase into your shop.

I recommend: Find Richard's Cajun Foods at distributor Cajun Grocer where Louisiana specialties are for sale by volume. Get wholesale Louisiana seafood at Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Set up reasonable order sizes. Before you buy, contact the kitchen or do a quick walk-through inventory to make sure your volume is as accurate as it can be when buying from Louisiana wholesale food distributors.