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

Minnesota 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 a MN food distributor 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 can then use these price breaks to plan promotions or make advance replenishment orders.
2. Use food wholesalers in Minnesota 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
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Join a group for buying from Minnesota food wholesalers

Many small business owners pool their buying power to maximize savings. A food service buying group can use its leverage to negotiate with distributors for the best possible prices.

I recommend: The Minnesota Food Association partners with many community-based organizations to build a more sustainable food system. Learn more about farmer’s markets in Minnesota that have buying clubs at eatwild.

Purchase from a food wholesaler in MN through a 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: Foodservice News lists food brokers in Minnesota and also provides news articles on the foodservice industry. Hockenberg Newburgh is a major food brokerage in the upper Midwest with locations in Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa.

Place orders with local Minnesota beverage distribution companies

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: The Winona Daily News provides a look at the daily life of a beer distributor in Minnesota. CareersinFood.com allows you to search for beverage distributors by state and also provides links to resources for the food and beverage industry.

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 distributors in Minnesota that specialize in foods from that ethnic group.
• •  Buy perishable foods from local Minnesota food distributors. These companies can make deliveries faster and help you make a profit on these items. Prompt deliveries also make it easier to manage your inventory.

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

Food distributors in Minnesota 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. Minnesota 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 Minnesota, 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
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Buy from major Minnesota food wholesalers

Some food wholesalers in Minnesota 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: Nash Finch is a leading wholesale food distributor in the United States. It has a clickable map of food distribution centers on its website. 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.

Purchase food from regional Minnesota food distributors

A regional food wholesaler in MN usually serves smaller businesses in second tier markets. It may also distribute gourmet and other specialty food items.

I recommend: Kuehls Midwest Distributors specializes in the distribution of health food throughout the midwestern United States. S. Abraham & Sons is a wholesale distributor of grocery and other consumer items to retailers in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Select local independent Minnesota beverage distribution companies

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: Waite Park-based Bernick's distributes a range of beverages to retailers in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Burnsville-based Midwest Vending includes wholesale beverages among its product lines.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Get frequent price checks from a Minnesota food wholesaler. The grocery market 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 Minnesota 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 wholesalers in Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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. Minnesota 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 a MN food distributor

There are many online and college classes 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: Get information about Art Institutes International Minnesota, which offers an Associate of Applied Science degree based on practical experience in modern kitchens, at Foodservice.com. Minnesota State Community and Technical College provides traditional academic courses in the culinary field that offer relevant education and training for Minnesota food distributors and wholesalers.

Become a food and beverage distributor in Minnesota who is an accredited Food Service 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: The Minnesota Department of Health offers a search for CFM training that is available throughout the state. Nick Training and Consulting offers courses in CFM training that are approved by the Minnesota Department of Health.

Learn through trade organizations for a food and beverage wholesaler in Minnesota

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: Members of the Minnesota Restaurant Association are eligible for comprehensive education and training in the foodservice industry. The Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association offers training programs online and at your place of business.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Students with mentors are more likely to pursue a long term career as a Minnesota food distributor. 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.

If you wish to become a food or beverage distributor or wholesaler in Minnesota, or are a grocery retailer who deals with distributors and wholesalers, you need to be aware of the many programs and organizations that operate in the state. Some of the government agencies set rules and regulations and also run programs, whereas some of the membership organizations offer training and support to those in the food industry.

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

Irradiation

The Minnesota Department of Health recommends that certain foods be irradiated. Irradiation exposes food to radiation to prevent spoilage and reduce the risk of E. coli. It can kill insects, keep potatoes from sprouting, and prolong shelf life of many foods.

I recommend: The Minnesota Department of Health discusses irradiation and what they believe are the benefits of this process.

Wholesale Produce Dealers Licensing & Bonding

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture requires wholesale produce dealers to be licensed and bonded. The bond ensures that farmers or other dealers who engage in business with wholesalers will be paid for their products.

I recommend: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture explains the regulations for wholesale produce dealers licensing and bonding.

Farm-to-School initiative

Minnesota schools have adopted a Farm-to-School initiative, with the aim of using local food products. They look to find suppliers who can give them food that is ready to prepare, but they also want to verify who the grower was. Distributors who sell to Minnesota school districts need to be sure their goods were purchased locally.

I recommend: Foodservice News has an article about the Farm-to-School initiative.

Minnesota Food Association

The Minnesota Food Association is a non-profit group that trains immigrant farmers, encourages the farm community to increase its yield, and provides financial support to the local food system. Distributors and wholesalers have greater access to farm products through its efforts.

I recommend: The Minnesota Food Association describes its program and showcases some of its products.

Minnesota Beer Wholesaler Association (MBWA)

The Minnesota Beer Wholesaler Association represents beer distributors throughout the state. The MBWA lobbies for legislation that supports the beer industry and its wholesalers. Minnesota beer distributorships are family owned and operated; some have even been passed down to the third or fourth generation.

I recommend: The Minnesota Beer Wholesaler Association website details the beneficial impact beer distributors and the MBWA have had on the state economy.

Minnesota Food Distribution Program

The Minnesota Food Distribution Program is a USDA program to improve school meal programs. Minnesota schools use CLiCS, a state website, to place their annual orders. Distributors and manufacturers bid to provide the school districts with their products.

I recommend: The Minnesota Department of Education explains the details of the Minnesota Food Distribution Program.