Choosing a Seafood Distributor
Where do you start when choosing a seafood distributor who will work closely with your restaurant or food service organization? If you already have a distributor, are you satisfied with them? If you’re a new restaurant owner, you’ll need to do your research to identify seafood distributors in your area.
First, shop around. Some things to consider:
- Food safety protocol. Are they HACCP certified by the FDA?
- Seafood quality. Is their product fresh, with good appearance and smell?
- Do they offer competitive pricing and discounts for buying in bulk?
- Length of time in business. The longer they’ve been in business, the better. Shady outfits go out of business quickly.
Next, once you’ve narrowed down your choices, talk with each company owner to learn a bit about their philosophy, where they source their wholesale seafood, and more. Ask to see their operation. If they say no, cross them off your list. Reputable seafood distributors will welcome you into their facilities.
Get a feel for how big the company is, and if they are too big to give you personal attention, or too small to supply everything you need.
Finally, weigh the pros and cons, and form a partnership with your seafood distributor that is beneficial for both of you.
If you need a Maryland Seafood Distributor, we’d love to work with you! Call Mister Fish today at 410-288-2722 to get started.
Food safety is our #1 priority. We are fully HACCP certified through the FDA in all areas. HAACP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points) is a management system in which food safety is addressed through the analysis and control of biological, chemical, and physical hazards from raw material production, procurement and handling, to manufacturing, distribution and consumption of the finished product.