Specialty food distributors are part of the huge specialty food industry. Gourmet food distributors work with approximately 20,000 stores. Gourmet food distribution does not only sell to big chains like Whole Foods but with smaller, specialized shops. Retailers can buy directly from manufacturers or wholesalers, but the specialized food market depends on smaller producers for a lot of merchandise and smaller producers need distributors.

Gourmet food distributors can bundle specialized food items from different food sources and grab a piece of the market through the variety of inventory. Quality products are what consumers look for in their choice of specialty food. Distributors provide quality methods of distribution to ensure freshness and other conditions that are important to the market.

1. Gourmet food wholesalers know that they are selling products to consumers who know a lot about food, just as health food distributors are aware of what their customers expect.

2. Gourmet food distributors know that the industry is known for its "from kitchen to market" culture, which can require different modes of distribution.

3. A specialty and gourmet food distributor's industry overview takes into account the economy, geography, kinds of food and retail values to name a few elements that affect the industry.

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Get the specialty and gourmet food distributors industry overview

Some specialty food distribution is based on geography. The West Coast sells a lot of Spanish food; areas such as San Francisco have a strong market for organic food distributors. Methods of distribution are another part of the industry, and let's not forget the dynamic effect of the Internet for wholesalers, distributors, retailers and consumers.

I recommend: Specialty Food Resource is a newsletter that connects all the businesses that operate to bring gourmet food to market. Gourmet Retailer is an industry magazine that tracks markets and companies.

Analyze the market for health food distributors

Health food distributors and organic food wholesalers are almost a separate market from gourmet and specialty foods. The characteristics of the health food market are different.

I recommend: The Organic Trade Association is a great resource for businesses in the health and organic food markets. Agricultural Marketing Resource Center is another source to get information on health and organic food distribution.

Seek distribution opportunities from gourmet food wholesalers

The gourmet food industry has such variety of products. Some wholesalers have arrangements with restaurants or ship directly from their base. Others will only work through distributors.

I recommend: Culinaire Foods is a gourmet food supplier that only deals with distributors. It packages specialty frozen foods such as hors d'oeuvres. Eliki Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Greece specializes in olive oils of all kinds.

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• •  A specialty and gourmet food distributors industry overview will tell you that the customers for these products are willing to spend more money and will travel to get what they want. Distributors for small producers with good products are profitable because of this customer base.

Specialty food distributors offer unique niche products that can attract customers to your business. Gourmet and specialty food – especially the organic variety – are a growing trend.

Building strong relationships with food distributors allows for profitable business opportunities for both parties. Experienced health food distributors and organic food wholesalers should:

1. Offer fresh foods at competitive prices.

2. Work within contract specifications.

3. Ship specialty foods at cost-effective prices.

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Choose gourmet food wholesalers

Specialty food distributors should offer a wide variety of gourmet foods at competitive prices and should be capable of delivering the products safely and in a timely manner.

I recommend: Use The French Farm as a gourmet food supplier. With a product line rooted in European cuisine and wholesale opportunities for your retail business, The French Farm offers fine food at competitive prices. Gourmet USA, a trusted name among gourmet food wholesalers, offers a large selection of specialty products such as caviar, meats and cheeses. Gourmet USA works directly with you to cut costs and increase your profits.

Find gourmet food supplier trade shows

Attend trade shows geared toward gourmet food distributors to evaluate the organic food distributors and gourmet food wholesalers that appeal to your needs.

I recommend: The Gourmet Retailer is the source for information on gourmet food distributor trade shows across the country. Listing shows geared toward specific types of specialty food distributors and general shows on how to properly buy organic food, wholesalers are available to answer your questions and offer samples of products. The Green People keep an online list of health food distributors.

Look for organic food wholesalers

The word 'organic' is a debated label because there are differences between food that is labeled 100% Organic, Organic or Made with Organic Ingredients.

I recommend: Go to the USDA for a list of explanations of organic labels. Choose organic food wholesalers like Organic Valley. Remember that the freshest and healthiest specialty food supplier is likely to be found close to you, like at a farmer's market.

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• •  Advertise your gourmet and specialty food lines. Work with the gourmet food distributors to promote the products properly.

Using specialty and gourmet food distributors is a means of joining the immense specialty food market. Gourmet food distributors run the gamut from selling one item, such as imported olive oil, to selling imported spices, meats and cheeses or a line of organic goods. Using specialty and gourmet food distributors allows restaurateurs and retail food markets to capture customers who eat or enjoy specialized niche foods and products.

Health food distributors serve both organic customer markets and food chain stores that offer organic foods. Using organic food distributors can bring in new customers. Retailers find specialty and gourmet items through the Internet. Gourmet food wholesalers and distributors use the web for their businesses. Specialty food distributors can also be importers who seek out special foods, sauces and spices and bring them to market.

1. Using specialty and gourmet food distributors provides merchandise that adds to the selection and quality of foods that appeal to your market.

2. Gourmet food distribution makes available countless products that are not regularly available. Consumers of specialty gourmet foods are willing to travel to buy what they want.

3. Specialty food distributors and organic food distributors are known for providing high-quality products.

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Look to gourmet food wholesalers and distributors for high-quality and hard-to-find foods

Specialty food distributors can specialize in one type of food and provide numerous products from that.

I recommend: Castella imports and distributes a wide variety of imported Italian foods and ingredients. North American Food ships hard-to-find, fresh game, meats and imported cheeses. Both service restaurants, grocery stores and hotels and are committed to high-quality and healthy products.

Find health food distributors that provide organic products

Health and organic wholesalers and distributors have grown over the years. Product selections are more abundant than ever.

I recommend: Associated Buyers carries over 6,500 health and organic products. It distributes to retailers such as farm stands, food clubs and large institutions. United Natural Foods is the largest health food distributor in the US.

Use small gourmet food wholesalers

Gourmet food wholesalers can be specialized and rely on a few products. Usually this means that there is a strong belief in how good these products are--it is quality over quantity.

I recommend: Belgravia Imports sells high-end organic items such as vinegars, jams and cereals. It prides itself on the quality of the products they present and its staff can give you the names of retailers and distributors that carry its products. Cheeseland's focus is entirely on Dutch cheeses. It supplies distributors and consumers. You can order directly from them.

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Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Using specialty and gourmet food distributors for your food-related business is important if you want to reach customers of different nationalities. A gourmet food supplier can be found for any niche or need.

The world of specialty and gourmet food is vast. Specialty foods come from all over the globe, although certain types of food are more popular in the United States than other types. For example, many specialty food stores sell Asian, Italian, Indian, British and Greek foods. Because these foods come from such diverse parts of the world, it is nearly impossible to know every term a specialty food wholesaler or distributor might use to describe the products from those regions. With that in mind, here are a few terms you may run across when shopping through specialty food distributors' catalogs.

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Aachar

Aachar (which is sometimes spelled achar) is a spicy pickle from India. It is usually made with fruits and vegetables (such as lime, lemon, mango or carrots).

I recommend: Indobase.com offers a free recipe for "Nimbu Ka Aachar," or lemon pickles.

Pawpaw

Papaya is a fruit more often called pawpaw by Asian food distributors. Pawpaw is often eaten fresh and by itself, but it is also used in Asian recipes.

I recommend: The University of the West Indies explains the history of pawpaw and mentions its different names.

Amatriciana

Amatriciana is a classic Italian sauce eaten with pasta. It's created with cured meat (like pancetta) and is named after Amatrice, Italy, where it is said shepherds invented the sauce.

I recommend: Like to Cook discusses Amatriciana and offers a recipe for it from "Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking" by Marcella Hazan.

Kefalotiri

Kefalotiri is a hard Greek cheese with a salty and mild flavor. It is often used grated up within--or on top of--Greek dishes.

I recommend: WiseGEEK explains in detail what kefalotiri is, its basic ingredients and how Greeks use it.

Black treacle

Black treacle (sometimes just called treacle) is popular in Great Britain. It is made from molasses--and is used much like Americans use molasses. Black treacle has a bit of a caramel flavor and is used for sweetening, usually in baked goods.

I recommend: Practically Edible describes treacle and its history.

Knish

A knish is a Jewish snack pastry that is traditionally stuffed with potatoes, sauerkraut, ground meat, onions or cheese. Modern knishes may be stuffed with virtually anything, including black beans, broccoli, tofu or fruit. Traditionally, it is baked, but American versions are sometimes deep fried and grilled.

I recommend: Jewish Recipes explains what knish is, in all its variations.