Food and Beverage Distributors and Wholesalers in Virginia Key Terms

Learn some terms associated with food and beverage distributors and wholesalers in Virginia

Food and beverage distributors and wholesalers in Virginia bring food from suppliers to food based businesses around the state. Everything from beer and wine, meats and cheeses, and fruits and vegetables all move through a distributor or wholesaler at one time or another.

Take the time to learn some terms associated with food and beverage distributors and wholesalers in Virginia so you can understand the process of how food moves from the supplier to the grocery store shelves. Here are some terms with some helpful links to get you started.

 

Export

Exporting refers to a distribution company sending their products to another country. The distribution company sends the food to another country and arranges for food safety protocols as well as paying any additional taxes or tariffs.
Try: Go to the website for Southeast Wholesale Foods, a distribution company with a footprint in Virginia, to learn more about export operations.

Market reports

Market reports refer to a published report provided by the American Restaurant Association each week that outlines everything from cost to consumption for any given food category. There are categories on meat, poultry, game and more. Food and beverage distributors and wholesalers in Virginia often work with retail markets and commercial kitchens to fill orders based on these reports and trends.
Try: Visit the website for Sysco for more information the latest market reports to be published. Sysco owns and operates locations in Virginia.

Product list, brand list

The brand list, or product list, refers to the list of items that a distributor carries. Many distribution and wholesale companies list both the brands and products on their website so that a food based business can determine what items they may order from that particular distributor.
Try: Go to the website for Blue Ridge Beverage for an example of a product list. Blue Ridge Beverage is an alcohol distributor within the state of Virginia.

Customized distribution

Customized distribution is the process of sending specific items or products to a food based business that specializes in certain foods. For instance, a BBQ restaurant will have specific set of meat, spices and sauces that are unique to that type of restaurant, whereas a sandwich shop will have different needs. In this way the distribution is customized.
Try: Go to the website for Performance Food Group for more info on customized distribution. Performance Food Group has a distribution location in Virginia.

Cold chain solutions

Cold chain solutions is the action of keeping food at a safe, cool, temperature during the distribution process. Cold chain solutions must be utilized with meat, seafood, eggs, dairy and more. Many distributors detail the cold chain solutions they offer on their websites so that the supermarket or food based business will have confidence in the products they're receiving.
Try: Visit the website for McLane Company for more info on cold chain solutions. McLane Company is a food distributor with a large distribution center in Manassas, Virginia.

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