The food industry is a very competitive business. As food prices rise, it’s hard to maintain profit margins. One way to do this is by being more resourceful with the food that comes in and out of your kitchen. Buying food in bulk for restaurants can help to cut costs while making you more efficient. Listed below you will see some tips for buying food in bulk for restaurants without compromising food quality or sanitation standards.
One may think that buying only what is necessary for the business in the near future is the most economically viable option is right only to an extent – it is, in fact, much better to plan ahead and buy in bulk, not only for financial reasons but logistically and environmentally it makes sense too.
Support Local Producers
Local food providers are more abundant than ever, especially with the food industry moving towards fewer preservatives and processed foods. When buying bulk pickles for restaurants it is easy to get carried away and get them from the other part of the world. But that has certain drawbacks.
Buying food from local food producers ensures that food is fresh and is in season. Buying food in the off-season means it has to be stored until use, which often causes food spoilage or prep that does not taste as good as when the food is fresh. When buying food in bulk for restaurants, make sure you support local small businesses rather than major brands to stock up on inventory and save money in the process! This is not only better for the economy, where monopolization in the agricultural industry is a huge problem, but it also gives an opportunity for locals to better appreciate something grown in their immediate vicinity.
By buying in bulk local a farmer has the benefit of not having to worry about where to sell their product, making it not only easier for him, but also a bit cheaper for you.
Buy in Season
Similar to buying food based on local availability, food should be bought in the perfect season. When food is out of season it will have to be shipped from all over the world which adds transportation time and cost to food that could have been grown closer, meaning that food will spoil quicker or not taste as good until it has reached its destination. This can amount to a lot of wasted food for restaurants owners!
Food producers are the best people to ask about what food should be bought by when since they know exactly what are the ideal growing conditions are for certain kinds of food. Buying produce en masse at the beginning of every season means there won’t be any reason not to put fresh food on the table regardless if nature cooperates or not. This may alter your menu a bit, as some recipes will not be available year-round, but that is only natural as certain foodstuff isn’t available year-round also.
Lower Your Carbon Footprint
While food transportation is more common in food already, the fact of the matter is that food production has a huge carbon footprint. This is because food needs to be transported from all over the world due to mono-crop cultivation, meaning that it will have to travel for thousands of miles before getting to your plate. That consumes a lot of energy and emits greenhouse gasses on its way there!
That being said, food producers are aware of this problem and increasingly go organic or sustainable whenever possible which reduces food-related greenhouse gases by up to 40 percent.
While oil prices are relatively low and transportation costs also, shipping food from all over the world is currently not a problem, though as governments announce a tax on the carbon footprint of companies‘ it is expected that the price will go up, so it is probably wise to shift to buying in bulk, and local, wherever possible.
Room to Haggle
When food is bought in small quantities food producers can not afford to offer discounts on food, though the opposite is true if food is bought in bulk. Never be ashamed to ask food producers if their food can be purchased in bulk or en masse for a cheaper price. Running a restaurant also means cutting corners to keep it a viable and competitive business, without sacrificing the quality of the finished product.
Negotiating a better price has been honed as a skill among entrepreneurs since the beginning of time, and it is no different today with restaurant owners. When talking to a producer or retailer, know that the chance to sell in bulk is a good deal for them as food is often their only source of income and food often spoils after time, so food producers need to move food quickly. This means that bargaining on food stock or bulk food will be beneficial for both parties involved.
There is also the issue of food prices fluctuating all over the world as gas prices go up and down. In the long run, it is expected that food prices will not go down and food producers will always try to make as much profit as possible, though food prices tend to vary all over the world. By buying food in bulk for restaurants with food producers or retailers that buy food in bulk you can guarantee yourself a better price and save money for your business.
Whether you’re a restaurant owner, food-service company, or food manufacturer, bulk buying can save time and money for your business. Restaurant owners often have an abundance of food in the kitchen and pockets of food at tables that need to be disposed of before they spoil. If you buy supplies in bulk, then there is no need for this kind of disposal because it will all be used up! Bulk food suppliers offer discounts on large orders so, with just one phone call to your local supplier, you could find yourself saving hundreds (or even thousands) over your lifetime as a business owner.
Hopefully, with these insights, you will be able to make a smart decision that will not only aid your company but a whole network of people who also work in the food industry.
