With the growth in the out-of-home food sector, the role of the commercial fruit and veg wholesaler has arguably never been more important. Full of useful tips, this guide will help you to become the best fruit and veg wholesaler. We’ll explore the key points that will help you stand out. These include the quality of produce, consistently high service levels and, of course, price and value.
Fresho is fortunate to work with hundreds of wholesale fruit and vegetable suppliers. The insights and best practices we’ve learned are thanks to those businesses. Let’s begin.
How to Stand Out as a Wholesale Fruit and Veg Supplier
Quality and Freshness
At a time of intense cost pressure for the sector, quality and freshness are one way to stand out. The best way to do this is to streamline your business from the point of order right through to packing, invoicing and payment.
If there are too many manual steps, the process is slower which can impact the freshness of the produce. Poor systems or internal processes also cause more manual errors. Often this comes at a cost for the business, but it can also mean wasted time down the line.
Consistency in Supply
Consistency in the supply of produce is another hallmark of a leading wholesaler. Top restaurants and food service providers need a reliable partner whatever the season.
When supply is low due to seasonal or weather impacts, suppliers can play a crucial role. By communicating with chefs on a regular basis, suppliers can warn of shortages and propose substitute products in good time.
Suppliers can help chefs to understand the latest growing conditions. If there is a shortage, suggest alternative products that could be used.
Price and Value
Wholesalers offer the most competitive pricing when they are clear on their margins. Managing pricing in spreadsheets or accounting platforms is often slow and difficult. Running your pricing on a platform like Fresho is easier because it is built for fresh food wholesalers.
Fruit & veg suppliers can set pricing to automatically update based on a set margin. This gives your customers the confidence that they are getting the best possible price at all times. It also means that you or your customers do not have to compromise on quality.
Highlight Variety and What Sets You Apart
Sourcing is another aspect that allows fruit and veg suppliers to stand out.
Fruitique Wholesale, a Fresho customer, says that suppliers should source their fruit & veg from local farms and orchards. This results in the freshest produce and ensures a relationship with growers.
Most however still need to source products from central wholesale market. If so, aim to build relationships with those traders for the best produce and to enhance your knowledge.
Reputation and Experience
As you’ll no doubt be aware, the world of selling fresh produce to restaurants is small and word travels fast. For this reason, your reputation is one of your biggest assets.
Many successful wholesale businesses grow when chefs move roles and take their suppliers with them. This is often the best type of growth. Your business grows organically on the back of your reputation and customer service.
For businesses that have been around for many years, promote that expertise through your company messaging.
What Venues Look for in a Fruit and Veg Wholesaler
Reviews and Testimonials
When choosing a supplier that will fit your business, online reviews are a great place to start. The industry has traditionally been driven by word-of-mouth, and this is now finding its way online through reviews on Google or other sites. This typically gives you a good starting point to start making a decision.
Understanding Fruit and Veg Delivery Services
Delivery is a key aspect of a successful supplier-food service relationship. The best organised food suppliers can often offer the most reliable delivery. Some good questions to ask your suppliers:
- Do you set a cut off time for orders?
- How can you track an order once placed?
- Can I see proof of delivery once delivered at my venue?
Streamlined Ordering and Processes
If a supplier uses an order management system like Fresho, there are many ways that the relationship can be enhanced.
Firstly, the supplier’s pricing will be live and up to date. This builds trust and gives restaurants the confidence to spend in line with their budget. This is particularly important with fruit and vegetables where pricing is changing frequently.
The second benefit is in fewer order errors. When a supplier is operating a streamlined process, orders can be picked faster and more accurately.
Finally, invoices are available within Fresho, so chefs don’t need to chase suppliers for copies or lose invoices entirely.
Ordering Efficiency
The fastest way for a chef to place an order is via an online ordering system like Fresho. In a couple of clicks, you can fill your basket and place your order.
If you’re regularly ordering the same products, it’s even easier by choosing from your favourites list. Gain card rewards by adding a credit or debit card and making payment in line with the credit terms agreed with your supplier.
All this can be managed in one single place, freeing up your time to focus on providing great food.
Ready to Partner With the Perfect Venue?
If you are a fruit and veg wholesaler who is interested in automating your order management, read on. With over 60,000 venues globally ordering through Fresho, there are likely to be venues in your area already placing orders. Take the first step to become part of this network and partner with more perfect venues for your business.
Test how order management software can help your business grow with a 14-day free trial of Fresho today: https://www.fresho.com/free-trial
