The Benefits of Sourcing Locally from Wholesale Fruit and Veg Suppliers

The Benefits of Sourcing Locally from Wholesale Fruit and Veg Suppliers

Choosing to source locally from wholesale fruit and veg suppliers offers many benefits. It supports the local economy, ensures fresher produce, and promotes sustainability. Let's explore these advantages in more detail.

Supporting the Local Economy

When you buy from local suppliers, you help support nearby farmers and businesses. This keeps money within the community, and helps create jobs. Local businesses can thrive, and this strengthens the local economy.

Local suppliers often have strong relationships with their customers. They understand the needs of local caterers and hospitality providers. This means they can offer personalised service and respond quickly to any special requests. At Mr. Fruity we buy everyday from our local suppliers. This ranges from salad and vegetables, to fruit, lettuce, and potatoes.

Ensuring Fresher Produce

Local sourcing means shorter travel times for produce. Fruits and vegetables are picked at peak ripeness and delivered quickly. This results in fresher, tastier produce for your customers.

Fresher produce also means better nutrition. Fruits and vegetables start to lose nutrients as soon as they are harvested. By reducing the time between farm and table, you can provide healthier options for your clients.

When we order some of our lettuces and greens early in the morning, they're still growing on the farm or greenhouse. Our order is then picked, packed, and delivered, or collected later that day. It's out to our customers the next day.

Promoting Sustainability

Local sourcing reduces the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation. This helps lower greenhouse gas emissions, and supports a healthier planet. Choosing local suppliers is a step towards more sustainable business practices.

Additionally, local farms often use more sustainable farming methods. They may practice crop rotation, use fewer pesticides, and focus on soil health. Supporting these farms encourages environmentally friendly agriculture.

Building Stronger Relationships

Working with local suppliers allows you to build strong, lasting relationships. You can visit their farms, see their practices, and understand their values. This transparency builds trust and ensures you are getting high-quality produce.

These relationships can lead to better service and more reliable supply chains. Local suppliers are more likely to go the extra mile to meet your needs. This can be crucial for catering and hospitality businesses with tight schedules.

Cost-Effective Solutions

By sourcing locally you can also reduce waste. Fresher produce has a longer shelf life, which means less spoilage, and lower costs. This efficiency can improve your bottom line.

In conclusion, sourcing locally from wholesale fruit and veg suppliers offers many benefits. It supports the local economy, ensures fresher produce, promotes sustainability, builds strong relationships, and can be cost-effective. Consider making the switch to local suppliers and enjoy these advantages for your business.

Location Versus Price & Convenience

With the onset of rising costs, which includes labour, energy, fuel, materials, and eventually produce, the market has undergone many changes in the last four years. The average family can tell you how much their 'cost of living' has increased, and of course this also applies to the hospitality industry.  In 2019, an average main meal in a medium grade restaurant would cost you around £12 - £15. In 2024, that same main meal is more likely to be £18 - £22. This has led to consumers adjusting their eating habits (going for cheaper meals or dining at cheaper establishments), or simply dining out less frequently.

The knock on effect of this is that restaurants and hotels are seeing lighter footfall through the doors, which means their Chefs don't order as often as they used to. Portions, in general, have become smaller, or sides and garnishes have been removed. Menus are created to offer additional items at a cost, whereas previously they were served with the dish.

The chef or restaurateur may wonder why items are increasing in price on the invoice, while choosing to receive fresh goods from a supplier hundreds of miles away. The cost of that vehicle to run, that driver's wage for the hours on the road, it soon adds up. Yet there are numerous fresh produce suppliers around the establishment. 

There are many reasons why a chef chooses a supplier. Loyalty, Price, Quality, Service, all of the above. But has sustainability, and carbon footprint ever come into it? Do they pick the local supplier because they are exactly that 'Local'?

We are a fantastic region with wonderful farmers, growers, and suppliers. A vast array of products produced in the area have won awards across the UK. We should champion this and choose Local where possible, both in produce, and suppliers. Where do you buy your meat, your fish, your bread and cheese? How far does your fresh produce travel? Do you order from outside the region because of Price or Convenience? Why not think about putting location first.