Making the Most of Foodservice Distributors and Wholesalers in Florida

Choose Florida foodservice distributors to supply your business

You can maximize your profits by making the most of foodservice distributors and wholesalers in Florida. These companies may distribute food at wholesale prices to delis, caterers, grocery stores and restaurants.

Florida food distributors can deliver foods within a specified delivery area and may also provide cash and carry services that allow you to pick up items directly from the warehouse.

Make the most of Florida food service distributors 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 distributors in Florida 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 in 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.

 

Join a group for buying from a Florida food distributor

Many small business owners pool their buying power to maximize their savings. A food service buying group can use its leverage to negotiate with distributors for the best possible prices.
Try: Organic Produce Buying Club of Florida is based in Miami and specializes in certified organic produce. Royal Buying Group in Lisle publishes a newsletter and issues regular press releases to help you keep up with current events for this buying group.

Use a broker to purchase from food service distributors in Florida

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.
Try: Seidman Hudon Food Brokerage in Coral Springs provides an extensive list of principals that they have an established relationship with. Windsor Foods allows you to search for brokers by state and also has links to resources related to food service.

Place orders with local Florida food service 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.
Try: Weyand Food has three locations in Florida and provides various produce reports to assist you with your food buying decisions. Florida Food Products in Eustis has detailed product lists for fruits and vegetables.

 

• Buy perishable foods from local foodservice distributors in Florida. 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.

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