Before you approach food ingredients suppliers, stop and think it through. With supply chain delays, COVID-19 on the rise again, and inflation, it’s never too early to consider a few options. Whether you are new to the food sector or need ingredients to launch your new product, we recommend planning with at least twelve to eighteen months in hand.
Essential considerations before approaching an ingredients supplier
With a lot going on in the industry, you can’t come to the ingredients supplier with nothing in mind. Before you come to your supplier, it’s wise to consider these six points:
Sales Pitch – Supplier Style:
As a buyer, you have the advantage that suppliers will generally pick up your calls. However, you must approach the supplier prepared with a sales pitch. But first, you must understand that suppliers always receive cold calls.
Overall, you must approach your supplier with a plan. Your food ingredients suppliers must understand your vision, considering that some ingredients are scarce too.
Shopping List:
Another thing to consider before approaching the supplier of your ingredients is your shopping list. Your supplier will have long-lasting trust in your brand if you are regular and informed. Also, considering the scarcity of some ingredients, having specifications in mind increases the chances of faster delivery.
Quality & Quantity:
Another thing to aim for is customer satisfaction. Thus the quality and quantity of the ingredients are also significant considerations. This includes food coloring, density, nutrient value, etc., so having ample quantity in mind is also a great idea.
Specification/Volume Needs:
Another essential consideration is specification or volume needs. Your food ingredients suppliers must know what you need, in what specifications, and in which volume each value needs to be.
Logistics Plan:
Communication is critical. You must tell your supplier what your supply chain looks like along with the services you need.
Food Safety Check:
Finally, ensure that the supplier of your ingredients is GSFI certified, a shared common standard in this sector. Your supplier must have one of these six certificates – SQF, FSSC 22000, BRC, IFS, Global GAP, or PrimusGSF.
With that, we conclude our blog. We hope you are now equipped with the necessary information required to procure the best ingredients supplied for your food business. At Excesa, we have a prominent food ingredient and supplier directory to assist you. So choose as per your preferences today.