Build a long-term relationship with Florida food service companies

If you own a restaurant, it's of prime importance to find and trust the people who deliver the product to your kitchen. Since you'll be in contact with your Florida food service distributors from 2 to 5 days a week, it's vital that you trust them and that they're able to meet your needs. Find a Florida food distributor that carries the products that bring your customers back for more.

I recommend: For the most bang for your buck, U.S. Foodservice and Sysco are nationwide distributors with comparably large inventories. Most importantly, their online ordering systems are customizable to your specific location, with time-saving printable inventories and helpful product descriptions. They are a perfect outlet for dry goods, frozen foods, paper and cleaning supplies. Florida Food Service is also good choice when looking for food service distributors in Florida.

Pick the right food distributor in Florida to grow with

Due to its short shelf life and labor-intensive handling needs, produce should have its own Florida food distributor. While the "big-box" distributors deliver only once or twice a week, most restaurants require fresh produce on a daily basis. It's imperative to find someone local that offers consistent quality in fruits and vegetables. Make sure you don't just shop prices; when it comes to produce and seafood, sometimes it's worth spending a little bit more.

I recommend: Buying produce from your local food distributors in Florida isn't easy. This article on Business Network offers some helpful tips on selecting quality fruits and vegetables. Try Freedom Fresh if you're near Miami.

Bring Florida foodservice from ocean to kitchen

Seafood, like produce, is important to get from a specific source. The difference in quality between fresh and frozen seafood is striking. Foodservice distributors in Florida that specialize in seafood will often offer product that is only hours off the boat. Finding a seafood vendor is extremely important. The Florida foodservice industry relies heavily on getting freshness and quality for their restaurant kitchens.

I recommend: Seafood is the one area where you don't want to just call and leave your order on an answering machine. Once you have a food distributor in Florida whom you can trust to provide seafood excellence, talk directly to him when you order. Find out what's fresh and never buy cheap. Water Street Seafood and FL-Seafood.com are great places to find a Florida seafood distributor.