Food distributors must juggle many different balls at once. Knowing how much of each product is in stock, finding out where it is, keeping track of trucking routes for maximum efficiency, knowing what customers want, making sure everyone gets paid on time—the list goes on and on. The thought of handling it all with pen and paper is daunting, to say the least. That's why using food distribution technology in the form of computer software to automate and ensure accuracy is a wise and recommended move for members of the food distribution industry.

Food distributors need quick and easy access to crucial information such as revenues and expenditures, food or beverage inventory and customer information to make sound business decisions that help keep their businesses moving in the right direction. When researching the computer software you might need to help get these multiple jobs done, consider the following:

1. Automating accounting tasks can help you ensure everyone—from warehouse employees to partnering companies—gets paid.
2. Wholesale food distribution deals with mass quantities of virtually every kind of food or beverage, so using software to help properly track and locate inventory is a must.
3. Computer software can analyze data from sales, employees and customers to help you make sounds business decisions that keep you ahead of market trends.
   

Action Steps for Doing Business with Wholesale Food Distributors
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find software programs that help food wholesalers properly manage finances and payroll

Food and beverage distributors have very special accounting needs, particularly because they often employ multiple companies to help them get the mammoth job of mass distributing wholesale foods done. These software solutions can help you ensure employees are paid and supply costs are properly tracked, among other accounting necessities.

I recommend: Lighthouse Systems Group offers foodManager, a food distribution software system that, among other functions, includes automations for payroll, accounts payable and receivable and more. Designed specifically for wholesale food distributors and other food distribution companies, Visual Produce by Silver Creek software is another reputable system that makes payroll and accounting easier.

Use technology that helps wholesale food distributors keep track of inventory quantity and location

Tracking and storing inventory is no easy task, which is why using food distribution technology can help you keep better track of the ordering, delivery and locations of your wholesale foods. Try these solutions to streamline your inventory tracking process.

I recommend: Becton Schantz is the creator of GenWeb, an online software application that allows food suppliers to track orders and perform invoice reconciliation, among other features. Entree, by NCES, is an easy-to-use software program that makes order entry, inventory control and truck routing a snap.

Use software that helps you analyze wholesale foods industry data and stay on top of market demands

Using food distribution technology that helps you stay ahead of market demand is not only smart, it's necessary. Food wholesalers need access to strong business intelligence software that helps them analyze and act on crucial information from customers, employees and sales figures.

I recommend: Apprise Software delivers an all-in-one software solution that, among other capabilities, helps you generate business forecasts and keep your finger on the pulse of customer needs based on sales figures. ARC, an integrated business intelligence suite, allows you to gather data from your customers, employees and others to quickly develop solutions fore meeting customer demand and choosing inventory.

Use software that helps you analyze wholesale foods industry data and stay on top of market demands

Using food distribution technology that helps you stay ahead of market demand is not only smart, it's necessary. Food wholesalers need access to strong business intelligence software that helps them analyze and act on crucial information from customers, employees and sales figures.

I recommend: Apprise Software delivers an all-in-one software solution that, among other capabilities, helps you generate business forecasts and keep your finger on the pulse of customer needs based on sales figures. ARC, an integrated business intelligence suite, allows you to gather data from your customers, employees and others to quickly develop solutions fore meeting customer demand and choosing inventory.

Tips & Tactics for Working with Food Wholesalers

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask software companies to suggest ways of integrating multiple software systems on the same network for easier access and continuity of service for your business.
• •  Ask software companies to suggest ways of integrating multiple software systems on the same network for easier access and continuity of service for your business.

Americans eat out — a lot. According to the U.S. government's last census of such things, more than a half-million eateries and bars posted more than $321.40 billion in sales, a bit more than $1,000 a year per man, woman and child in the country. How all of these small businesses get the food and drinks they need to keep those tables turning is an industry unto itself, and a fragmented one at that, considering it involves timely delivery of perishables. Figuring out where you'll get the best and freshest foods at the lowest price is a matter of understanding the market, in particular, understanding how the wholesale beverage and food distributors work. This primer on selecting a wholesale food distributors for your own restaurant covers:

1. The different types of food and beverage distributors available for any restaurant.
2. Your options for food distributor alternatives.
3. How to make the most of purchased wholesale foods, by combining the buying power of multiple restaurants.
4. Advice for ensuring you are getting the best price for your wholesale foods.

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

Most of the business is done by food wholesalers

Whether its tins of tomatoes or piles of pork ribs, chances are you will start with a major supplier of wholesale foods, where prices are driven down because of the high volumes they handle.

I recommend: The largest food wholesalers include Sysco, US Foodservice, Performance Food Group and Gordon Food Service.

Buy direct from the manufacturer

Many food and beverage producers maintain their own delivery systems if your account is large enough. Going this route allows you to cut out the middle man, and avoid markups added on by the food distributor.

I recommend: Go to the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association site and search the membership directory for free. Search by "industry category" to quickly turn up food or beverage distributors near you. The American Beverage Association has a list of its (non-alcoholic) beverage maker members and Bevnet lists both manufacturers and distributors. The International Beverage Network covers alcohol beverage distributors worldwide.

Find a local independent broker

A good portion of the food distributed in the United States goes through an agent or broker.

I recommend: Search thousands of food and equipment suppliers through the Thomas Food and Beverage Market Place guide. Free if you register, although full company data is pricier.

Lots of tables? Join an alliance and get volume discounts

Joining a cooperative could save you money if you buy enough food regularly to qualify. This is usually true for institutional dining operations like hospitals and schools, but a regional chain restaurant could easily muster the same volumes.

I recommend: Some cooperatives include UniPro and Progressive Group Alliance. Premier focuses on healthcare institutions.

Check specialty suppliers for deals

Over the years, regional suppliers have sprung up to serve smaller, mom-and-pop eateries in second-tier markets. There are also specialty gourmet food distributors.

I recommend: Smart & Final operates in six western U.S. states and northern Mexico. McClane serves 18 cities across the country. Cheney Brothers trucks are a common sight in the southern United States.

Shopping clubs are an alternative

Most warehouse shopping clubs offer wholesaler discounts and special ordering rules that get you in and out in a jiffy. If you have the time and inclination to go get the food, these can save you money.

I recommend: Check prices for membership against potential savings at Costco, Sam's Club and BJ's Wholesale Club. Similarly, retailers Target and Wal-Mart (type ZIP code and choose "supercenter") both have opened gigantic grocery stores which can cut pretty close the warehouse prices without annual membership fees.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  To get the best price on your wholesale foods, always run the numbers on your wholesale food distributors, the more often the better. Some will low-ball early on at a loss then try to raise prices later.
• •  If you don't do gigantic volumes, consider forming your own coop with other local restaurant owners. Deliver to your door then break the packages for savings.
• •  Never count out your local grocery store. Their loss leader might be your best margin of the week. If there's not enough on the shelf, talk to a manager about buying up the back stock, especially on non-perishables like wine and canned foods.
• •  Negotiate with your food distributor, always. The food is doing them no good on the warehouse floor, and they could easily have overbought in anticipation of demand. If you are a regular customer or a bigger customer, demand discounts.

Food and beverage distributors must juggle a variety of responsibilities crucial to the development and preservation of their business. Food wholesalers and beverage distributors must ensure the quality and safety of their products, then make sure potential customers know about that quality and safety.

When it comes to food distributors guide basics, some of the most important areas of focus for food suppliers in the food distribution industry include food safety, distribution facilities and marketing. Honing in on the particulars of these three areas ensure your wholesale foods or specialty food and/or beverage business delivers a quality product the right way while drumming up new business along the way. As you consider food distributors basics, think about the following:

1. Access to quality food safety services, including shelf life analysis and food and beverage-specific safety evaluations, will help you avoid a health crisis and in turn preserve your wholesale food distribution reputation.
2. Wholesale food distributors and gourmet food distributors need properly outfitted facilities to produce and store food products.
3. Companies that specialize in food marketing can help you brand your business in a way that helps you get recognized immediately.
   

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

Find food quality assurance companies that help you keep your wholesale foods safe and fresh

Wholesale food distributors need a reliable partner in keeping their food fresh, contaminant-free and compliant with all health and safety codes. These companies can help by performing routine food quality tests and solutions for storage and disinfection.

I recommend: ABC Research performs routine food quality testing as well as specialized testing for meet and poultry, seafood, produce dairy and other perishable food items. DEL Ozone offers food safety solutions with regard to disinfection.

Find quality food storage solutions that help with wholesale food distribution

Temperature control and proper space is crucial to ensuring your wholesale foods are transported and delivered to market fresh. These companies can help you manage the food storage management aspect of your business to ensure quality product every time.

I recommend: VersaCold Atlas can serve as an extension of your food distribution business by offering cold warehouse storage management for food items, while AmeriCold Realty also provides temperature controlled warehouse distribution services.

Market your wholesale foods or specialty foods to multiple audiences

No matter how good they are, your products won't sell if no one knows about them. Creating a continuous brand and theme for your products will help you make a distinct impression on the food and beverage industry. These organizations can help.

I recommend: Food Marketing Support Services provides marketing services to food wholesalers and food suppliers, among other clients. Become a member of the Food Marketing Institute and learn food distributors basics from the pros, along with marketing tips for multiple audiences.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Join an association for food and beverage distributorssuch as the Food Marketing Institute for tips and contacts to help move your business forward and develop strong partnerships within the industry.

Food distribution is a popular industry in today's non-homecooking world. Food distributors are responsible for educating themselves on terminology for the food industry, including types of foods to sell, such as functional foods. Distributors also need assistance in displaying their products and they need to understand terms such as danger zone temperatures and shelf life for storing products. Distributors should also be aware of available additional assistance from professional food organizations.

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

Commodity Alert System

The Commodity Alert System is a system designed by the USDA to alert food distributors of potentially dangerous USDA commodity foods. The messages go out instantly when a notice is released. Distributors can customize their alert system to match their needs. The system is free, and when alerted, distributors check inventory and remove items from shelves if needed.

I recommend: Learn more about the Commodity Alert System from Envoy Profiles.

American Institute of Food Distribution

The American Institute of Food Distribution (AIFD) is an organization designed to keep food distributors informed about news and events in the food distribution industry and marketplace. The organization was founded in 1928.

I recommend: Discover more about the American Institute of Food Distribution from its website.

Functional foods

Functional foods are foods that serve a purpose besides satisfying hunger. These foods are thought to have better nutritional and health values than ordinary foods. Some even claim to help prevent or treat health conditions. These foods are popular with health food distributors.

I recommend: Find out more about functional foods from the definition in the Food Processing glossary.

Danger zone

Danger zone refers to the temperature range at which food is considered to be at high risk for an attack by bacteria. Food should remain in the danger zone for the least amount of time possible. The danger zone must be considered when distributors are storing inventories of food.

I recommend: An article from Chef’s Blade discusses the danger zone and the importance of keeping foods out of it.

Shelf life

The shelf life is the time period of storage that food items remain fresh and healthy to eat and also have the freshest taste.

I recommend: View a detailed discussion of shelf life from Wise Geek.

Food displays

A food display is an independent standing mobile fixture that is used to display food products. Examples are hot food displays, drink display coolers and sliding-glass-top display freezers. Food distributors often offer these floor merchandisers to display and enhance the sales of their products.

I recommend: Restaurant-services.com discusses and shows images of various floor merchandisers.