subject: How Finding A Good Wholesale Food Supplier Can Benefit Your Business [print this page] Food and beverage wholesalers are vital to the food service industry, so its important to find a supplier who can offer quality, variety and a good level of service.
A good supplier will be able to balance a wide range of responsibilities, handling multiple orders while maintaining the safety and quality of their produce. Adequate distribution facilities and a high level of food hygiene are both important concerns, but the wholesaler also needs to prove the quality and reliability of their products. These are some of the things to look for, when choosing a wholesale food and drink company:
1. Food safety. Does the distributor have access to a full range of quality services, such as safety evaluations specific to different foods and beverages, and shelf life checks? Caterers need to be sure that the products they order in wont affect the health of their customers. Even a minor crisis can ruin a restaurants reputation.
2. Are the premises properly 'kitted out' for the production and storage of wholesale and gourmet goods?
3. Is proper attention paid to food storage management during transportation of the goods? Adequate temperature control and plenty of space are both crucial elements in getting produce transported to the customer in market fresh condition.
4. Are there local distribution centres, to minimise the amount of time food spends in transit?
5. Does the wholesaler have access to local specialist providers, such as cheeses or seafood, and do they keep clients updated on new gourmet lines coming in? Variety is the spice of life, especially where food is concerned.
A good wholesale food distributor will always ensure food is fresh and complies with health and safety legislation, performing regular quality control checks, and carrying out specialist testing of perishable foods like fish and dairy products. They will routinely disinfect all areas used in the preparation, storage or transport of food, and have a cold storage management system in place for both the warehouse and the delivery vehicles.
