How to Buy Wholesale Food

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Buying wholesale food is a useful way to save money. Shopping at wholesalers allows you buy food items in bulk at a discounted cost. If you have a small business or even a large family, you should investigate this helpful process. With proper storage, purchasing wholesale food can help feed your family at a lesser cost than buying from traditional outlets.

Create a list of foods to buy wholesale. You can buy dry goods as well as refrigerated items wholesale. The list should include the type of items you want to purchase as well as the price you plan to pay.

Research retail costs. Visit local food stores and nationally known chain supermarkets. Find out if your town has a farmers' market where small food producers sell their wares to the public. Visit the market, and write down details about the items being sold, including the type as well as the exact price. Larger markets should have unit pricing on all food items. Bring a calculator if you don’t see a unit price posted.

Buy from wholesale clubs open to the public. Wholesale clubs sell food and other items in large quantities. Consumers can purchase memberships that allow them daily, monthly and yearly access to the wholesaler. Expect to see items stacked on the floor as well as on high shelving in systems resembling a supermarket. Wholesale food clubs sell generic and brand name items. Most offer a great variety of items including seafood, frozen items and fresh produce.

Purchase from wholesalers only open to fellow business people. Some wholesalers only sell to those in the food retailing business. If you own a cheese specialty shop or restaurant, you can shop there.

Create a place to store the wholesale food. Research sanitary requirements in your state. You will need a place to make sure food is stored in conditions that prevent the growth of bacteria. If you have doubts about the safety of an item, throw it out.


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