Employees who undergo food and beverage distributors and wholesalers in Massachusetts 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 wholesale distributors in Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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. Food and beverage distributors in Massachusetts 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 a food distributor in MA

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 culinary arts program at Branford Hall Career Institute includes an externship program to allow students to gain real world experience. The Cambridge School of Culinary Arts is endorsed by the International Association of Culinary Professionals.

Learn the food safety regulations that a food distributor in Massachusetts must follow

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

I recommend: The Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services provides the regulations regarding food safety in Massachusetts. Eastern Mass Food Safety offers a comprehensive one-day class that meets the food safety certification requirements in Massachusetts.

Join trade organizations for food and beverage distributors and wholesalers in Massachusetts

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 Massachusetts Restaurant Association offers regularly scheduled seminars and workshops in food service. The School Nutrition Association of Massachusetts offers information and continuing education to food service professionals in Massachusetts.

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

A food distributor in MA 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 wholesale distributors. Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts, 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 wholesale from a major food distributor in MA

Grocery store chains normally use a nation-wide food and beverage distributor. Massachusetts distributors also may be able to deliver to regional franchises and independent stores.

I recommend: US Foodservice provides food and related products primarily to restaurants. You can select a region of the United States on its website to display specific locations within that region. 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 by city and state.

Purchase food wholesale from a regional food distributor in Massachusetts

Smaller businesses in second tier markets frequently use regional food distributors. Massachusetts wholesalers may also distribute gourmet and other specialty food items.

I recommend: Bozzuto's is a wholesale food distributor to retailers in New England, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York and New Jersey. Roma is a leading broadline foodservice distributor for New England states and specializes in Italian foods.

Select local independent beer distributors in MA

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: Auburn-based Atlas Distributing is a distributor for beer and other beverages in central Massachusetts. Tewksbury-based D. J. Reardon is an exclusive distributor of Anheuser-Busch for Massachusetts.

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 may want to ensure that type of food is a specialty of your food distributor. MA wholesalers also specialize in a particular type of food such as ice cream, cookies or chips.