Oil seeds are the best kept secret in the food world. The oils used everyday by consumers, bakers and candy-makers likely come from a variety of oil seed. Oil seed growers dot the US, offering an array of oil seeds, including sunflower seeds, Rapeseed (Canola) and Sesame seed. Oil seeds are necessary in the baking and confectionery world.

Choose from raw, organic, bulk, or wholesale oil seeds in multiple states of processing. To find the best oil seed growers in the US and purchase the oil seed most popular with your customers, you should:

1. Survey your customers and employees about the types of oils that they prefer to help you determine which ones to use in your food business.

2. Purchase oil seed from a reputable oil seed grower that offers quick service and quality guarantees.

3. Ask for wholesale oil seeds, shipping discounts and other deals to save money and in turn pass the savings on to your customers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Decide on the types of oil you should consider buying from oil seed producers

Before looking for an oil seed grower, you should narrow down the varieties of oil seeds you need. If you want to leave your options open, find an oil seed grower with many offerings and a quick shipping policy to get your custom orders to you quickly. If you have the room or a greenhouse, consider oil seed growing yourself. Growing oil seeds gives you the freedom to control the quality and characteristics of the oil you'll produce and use.

I recommend: Farm World gives detailed information on the most popular oil seeds in the industry to help you decide on the oils you will use and the more favorable oil seed varieties. 21Food shows a variety of oil seeds and the subsequent oils available and one manufacturer from whom you can order them.

Purchase oil seeds from a reputable oil seed grower

When looking for an oil seed supplier, find one with a large variety of oil seeds that are fresh. You want a grower who has been in the business awhile and can offer solid references. If you are looking for custom oil products, find organic oil seed growers offering a large variety of oil seed breeds and processing applications.

I recommend: Mountain Valley Growers produces organic sunflower seeds in seed packet to grow your own sunflowers for sunflower seed oil production. Fedco Seeds, located in Maine, offers a large supply of seeds including flower and oil seeds.

Ask for wholesale oil seeds, shipping discounts and other deals to save money

Don't be afraid to ask for discounts or purchase through a wholesale oil seed grower. You should be entitled to discounts if the oil seeds are not fresh, if it's the end of the season, if you are purchasing a large quantity or if you offer to pick up the oil seeds instead of having them delivered.

I recommend: Bulk Foods offers a larger variety of seeds available in bulk quantities that can be ordered online and shipped directly to your shop. Welch, Holme & Clark Co., Inc. sells kosher seed oils at wholesale prices to help you save money on the highest quality oils for your food business.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  To save even more money, invest in a seed hulling machine. This will also save you time and hassle.