(June 23, 2011 - The Packer)—When it comes to getting their fruits and vegetables onto foodservice menus, produce suppliers tend to work through foodservice distributors, but many companies also develop direct relationships with certain customers.
It’s a touchy topic that many suppliers refrain from discussing publicly for fear of offending distributors, who play an important role in helping grower-shippers move their product.
Church Brothers LLC, Salinas, Calif., deals with major distributors and broadliners but maintains some direct relationships, said Vince Ballesteros, director of sales.
“We believe there’s a need for the distributors in today’s world,” he said. “We have healthy relationships with a lot of distributors across the country.”
Read the rest on The Packer website: http://www.thepacker.com/fruit-vegetable-news/marketing-profiles/foodservice/Produce-firms-rely-on-direct-contacts-as-well-as-distributors-124428054.html
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.