Food and Beverage Brokers Basics

Get the low down on food and beverage brokers

Food and beverage brokers supply chain and independent wholesalers and retail stores. Although the products they sell can come from all over, food brokers work in certain geographical areas. A high school education is required for food broker jobs. A food brokerage uses sales people to work with wholesalers and retailers. Wholesalers and retailers prefer working with a food and beverage broker because it frees them up from dealing with individual manufacturers.

Food service brokers help retailers and wholesalers with their sales, suggesting marketing and placement of products and new products to invest in.

1. Food brokers work in one geographic location, although their supplies can come from anywhere.

2. Suppliers and producers of food and beverage prefer using brokers to sell their products. It saves them from having to use their own sales forces.

3. Food and beverage brokers keep their customers up on market conditions and help drive up their sales through marketing.

 

Get an overview of food and beverage brokers basics

National food brokers and beverage brokers have their own trade associations that provide information on all aspects of the food, including technology solutions, transportation issues, as well as changes in laws affecting the market. Trade associations keep a close eye on the economic conditions affecting their businesses.
Try: The Broker Management Council is a group of food service brokers who share information to the mutual advantage of all members. It's a good source of information on the food service industry. The American Beverage Association is a trade organization that keeps beverage brokers informed of trends, changes in legislation and business information.

Look at specialized food and beverage brokers

Understanding food and beverage brokers basics means looking at different types of food brokerages or beverage brokerages, some of which are specialized. A food broker suggests new products that wholesalers and retailers can market successfully.
Try: Blue Ridge Food Brokers & Consultants is one of a number of gourmet food brokers which sells high-end products with sophisticated marketing. Ginseng Up is a beverage broker specializing in ginseng-based non-alcoholic beverages.

Find out more about food and beverage brokers

There are many aspects to food and beverage brokering, as well as market niches for food brokers. Get informed about the different brokerages that service your location.
Try: Grey House Publishing is a reference publisher with the most up-to-date and comprehensive book on the food brokerage industry. There are food brokerage databases available online, too. Export Solutions is a food brokerage company supplying supermarkets with frozen food, snacks and beverages from around the world -- its product offerings reveal what wholesalers and retailers are looking for.

 

• It is suggested that food broker jobs require previous sales experience and food retail experience. In 2004, yearly compensation was around 46K.

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