Food and Beverage Distributors and Wholesalers in Maryland Key Terms

Learn some terms associated with food and beverage distributors and wholesalers in Maryland
By Jason Wood Food and beverage distributors and wholesalers in Maryland supply everything from supermarkets to restaurants to municipal kitchens with food and beverages. They are responsible for stocking the shelves so that food service based business can thrive.

Take the time to learn a little about food and beverage distributors and wholesalers within the state of Maryland so that you understand operational procedures and can negotiate a favorable contract for your business. Here are some of the terms you might come across along with some informational resources to help get you started.

Market reports

Market reports refer to information provided by the American Restaurant Association each week, which details everything from cost to consumption on a given category. For instance, there are categories on meat, poultry, dairy and more. Food and beverage distributors and wholesalers in Maryland often work with supermarkets and commercial kitchens to fill orders based on these trends.
Try:  Visit the website for Sysco for additional information on market reports. They also provide examples of market reports by category. Sysco owns and operates a distribution location in Maryland.

Customized distribution

Customized distribution refers to sending products to a restaurant or store that specializes in certain foods. For instance, a bbq restaurant will have specific set of meat, spices, sauces and more, which are unique to that type of restaurant, whereas coffee shop would have different needs. In this way, the distribution is customized.
Try:  Go to the website for Performance Food Group for more information on customized distribution and how it operates. Performance Food Group has a distribution location in Maryland.

Plan-o-gram

A plan-o-gram is a design made by the distributor that helps the store owner maximize space when stocking shelves. Plan-o-grams are not merely designed on the size of packages, but are formed from market research, which details customer consumption patterns. Color, eye-line and type of food are all things that go into designing a plan-o-gram.
Try:  Visit the website for McAneny Brothers for more information on plan-o-gramming. McAneny operates distribution locations within the state of Maryland.

Brand list, supplier list

The brand list or supplier list refers to a list of companies that send their products to the distributor. The distributor then groups them and passes them along to the commercial kitchen, bar or super market. For instance, a beer distributor might carry 20 brands of beer. They will list those 20 brands so that the client can prepare an order based on what they have to offer.
Try:  Visit the website for Top Shelf. A distribution company with a location in Maryland, it offers an example of a brand list on its website.

FDA Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Program

The FDA Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Program (HACCP) is a program that ensures certain standards and qualities are met so that food products remain safe and uncontaminated. Many food distributors will detail their compliance with the FDA HACCP to give the supermarket or commercial kitchen the utmost assurance of their product.
Try:  Visit the website for Metropolitan Meat, Poultry and Seafood for additional information on the FDA Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Program.

Imports

Imports refers to food which has been brought in from another country. The importer deals with the tariffs and associated taxes before reselling it to a supermarket, specialty shop or commercial kitchen.
Try:  Go to the website for Prima Foods for more information on the importing process. Prima Foods is a distributor of specialty food in Maryland.