Foodservice Distributors and Wholesalers Key Terms

Know your way around foodservice distributors and wholesalers by learning the right terminology

The wholesale food distribution industry annual sales is in the hundreds of billions of dollars. Distributors and wholesalers to foodservice are the cornerstone of the industry, because they safely bring food from the thousands of food producers around the country to the millions of people who eat it. Distributors and wholesalers are concerned with transportation, food storage, quality control, branding and other factors that play a major part in the foodservice industry.

 

Quality assurance companies

Quality assurance companies are outside agencies that test the quality of the food, including while it is in storage. Quality assurance companies act as a control to guarantee the quality and safety of food products.
Try: The Maryland Department of Agriculture describes its Food Quality Assurance Program. SQF is a quality assurance company for distributors and wholesalers in food service.

Branding

A brand identifies a product or service by means of a logo, visual or slogan. It is a key marketing concept that is important to distributors and wholesalers in foodservice. Food marketing, or food branding, is important to distributors and wholesalers.
Try: BrandSolutions keeps a food branding blog where you can get the latest news in the industry.

Shelf life

The shelf life of food is a very important component in foodservice for wholesalers and distributors. Stability and shelf life are scientifically analyzed to determine how long foods can last without losing any quality.
Try: Kemin Industries provides shelf life stability expertise to major organizations.

International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA)

Trade associations are important because they represent industries in government, and help companies to work together for the benefit of their common interests.
Try: International Food Distributors Association is an example of a trade association for distributors. Note it provides information on government regulations, research and educational events.

Food and Drug Administration, or FDA

This is the regulatory agency that makes and enforces the rules for distributors and wholesalers to the foodservice industry.
Try: The FDA is accountable to U.S. citizens for promoting laws and regulations concerning the handling of food. Distributors and wholesalers to the foodservice industry recognize its authority and comply with its regulations.

Master distribution agreement

A master distribution agreement is a contract between a food producer and distributor, whereby the distributor agrees to transport a full line of the producer's food products to participating customers.
Try: Foodservice Distribution Online Magazine has a guide to master distribution agreement distributors.

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