8 Best Places Food Trucks Buy Their Food at Wholesale Price

There are indeed numerous places where food trucks can buy their food at wholesale prices. This is very important when starting or running a food truck, particularly since the success of the food truck tends to depend on its ability to make available top-quality meals at affordable prices.

However, it is necessary to point out that this is achievable only if the truck owner or operator can find a good balance of quality and affordable price.

As such, it is pertinent they always strive to source their ingredients from reliable suppliers that provide competitive wholesale pricing.

If you are looking to start a food truck business or you already own one, below are top places to source food at wholesale prices.

Places Food Trucks Can Buy Food at Wholesale Price

1. Wholesale Food Distributors

These are without doubt the primary destination for food trucks looking to buy things in bulk. These companies tend to carry a vast array of products, such as fresh produce, meats, dairy, dry goods, as well as specialty items. A good number of well-known wholesale food distributors in the United States include:

• Sysco

This company is one of the biggest food distributors, making a wide array of food products and supplies available. Also note that they provide top-class services and products to numerous industries, such as restaurants, healthcare, and food trucks.

• US Foods

This is another well-known player that caters to the varying needs of businesses within the food business. They carry a vast spectrum of food products and kitchen supplies. Aside from that, they offer business solutions, including menu planning and inventory management.

• Gordon Food Service (GFS)

This particular company works to provide food service businesses with good quality food products, such as fresh and frozen foods.

2. Restaurant Supply Stores

These stores sell a wide range of bulk food items and kitchen supplies at wholesale prices. If you are in the food service business, some of the popular restaurant supply chains to consider include:

• Restaurant Depot

This company is a membership-based warehouse chain that works to ensure that members can always have access to a vast selection of bulk food items, kitchen equipment, and supplies.

This company has grown to become one of the best locations for food truck operators looking to guarantee competitive pricing and a viable inventory.

• WebstaurantStore

Even though an online retailer, this company has made a name for itself by selling food service equipment and supplies at wholesale prices.

Note that they provide a vast array of bulk food items, and have proven to be one of the easiest options for food trucks who are finding it difficult to access a physical restaurant supply store.

3. Farmers’ Markets and Local Farms

These locations are beginning to gain more traction in recent times and have proven to be a rare gem for food truck owners who want to obtain fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients.

Note that obtaining the necessary ingredients and produce directly from farmers tends to ensure that food truck owners get high-quality produce at lower prices when put in comparison to traditional retail stores.

Some of the good reasons why this is a viable option for food truck owners include product freshness, you will be supporting local agriculture, as well as obtaining unique offerings or heirloom varieties of fruits and vegetables that aren’t available via traditional wholesalers.

4. Cash-and-Carry Wholesale Club

These particular clubs remain a very good option especially when you consider the convenience and cost-effective option they offer to food truck operators.

One thing to note is that these clubs provide a vast array of food products, which can encompass perishables, non-perishables, as well as frozen goods, at competitive prices.

Aside from that, unlike traditional wholesale distributors, these clubs are known to allow customers to obtain goods directly from the store without any need to meet or conform to a large minimum order. Some of the best cash-and-carry options to consider include:

• Costco Business Center

This is a branch of Costco that was instituted to see to the needs of business owners, including food truck operators. They make available bulk food items, and commercial kitchen equipment, in addition to every other essential at wholesale prices.

• Sam’s Club

Well known as a membership-based wholesale club, keep in mind that they supply a vast selection of bulk food items, kitchen supplies, and equipment.

5. Online Wholesale Marketplaces

Owing to the advent of the Internet and e-commerce, food truck operators now have unrestricted access to online wholesale marketplaces.

These marketplaces make it a lot easier for those interested to locate ingredients in bulk from a wide array of vendors. A good number of well-known online wholesale marketplaces include:

• Amazon Business

This is a branch of Amazon that strives to provide the peculiar needs of business owners. Food truck operators can purchase bulk food items, kitchen supplies, and equipment at wholesale prices, and this will most often come with free shipping options.

• Alibaba

Another well-known wholesale marketplace, it has gained prominence for serving as the platform where buyers can link up with suppliers all over the globe. It is without doubt a good choice for food truck operators who want to buy food items in bulk and at competitive prices.

• Boxed

You wouldn’t want to overlook this online bulk retailer that has made a name for supplying food items, kitchen supplies, and other essentials at wholesale prices.

This particular company has proven to be super ideal for food truck operators who want to shop online and have their supplies delivered directly to their doorsteps.

6. Food Cooperatives

This is used to describe organizations or gatherings of similar businesses where members combine their resources to obtain food in bulk directly from producers or wholesalers.

Note that food truck operators who are members of a co-op can leverage this advantage to obtain food items in bulk at lower prices, gain access to high-quality, often organic products, as well as the opportunity to encourage local and sustainable agriculture.

Aside from that, these business owners will also gain the opportunity to purchase organic, non-GMO, and other specialty food items that might be difficult via traditional wholesalers.

7. Specialty Food Wholesalers

This is a viable option for food truck operators who focus on providing customers with niche or gourmet products. They can leverage these wholesalers whose primary objective is to make available specific types of food products, including organic, vegan, or ethnic foods, that might be very difficult to access via general wholesalers. A good number of examples include:

• KeHE Distributors

This particular company for decades has made a name for providing natural, organic, and specialty foods. Keep in mind that it is a great and viable option for food trucks that want to focus on high-quality, health-conscious ingredients.

• United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI)

Renowned for being a leading distributor of natural, organic, and specialty foods, it is important to point out that they carry a vast array of products that help food trucks seamlessly curate health-conscious or dietary-specific menus.

8. Local Butchers and Seafood Suppliers

This is without doubt an important option for food trucks that require meat or seafood to cater to the culinary needs of their clients.

These businesses source meats and seafood directly from local butchers or seafood suppliers to guarantee high-quality products at competitive prices.

Note that by cultivating relationships with these local suppliers, food truck operators or owners can be sure they are obtaining better deals as well as receiving personalized service. This will also ensure that you are supporting the community as well as the local economy.

8. Commissaries

A local commissary, although not really a food supplier, can help relieve certain issues that come with looking for one. Most cities and states in the United States have laws against preparing food in mobile kitchens.

Owing to that, food trucks in these places opt for licensed commissaries that offer storage, preparation, and kitchen space. However, depending on a food truck’s budget, private or shared kitchens are available for rent.

Factors to Consider Before Buying Food Supplies for your Food Truck

Just like with restaurant businesses, food truck businesses need to analyze their potential volume and buy accordingly. To succeed in this line of business, you always have to plan in advance, to shop or receive orders so that you are never out of necessities.

However, to make or create a detailed food sourcing strategy for a food truck business, you have to first find out the most efficient food storage plan for your truck, track inventory and sales, and align with the most cooperative food suppliers. Have it in mind that one setback for most food trucks is the lack of storage space.

When planning your truck’s layout, it is important to maximize storage and cooler space without distorting the area you’ll need to make and sell food.

Note that you can boost your storage layout by minimizing and carefully selecting other equipment, like your POS system, so that these items take up as little room as possible.

Have it in mind that food trucks, unlike restaurants, do not always have permanent addresses. Owing to that, it can be challenging to get a delivery from certain suppliers.

For food trucks that do not use a commissary, you will have to align with your supplier and arrange a time and place where you can always have your order delivered or ask if there is an option for pickup.

Once your delivery arrives, take your time to review the invoice and make sure you’ve acquired everything you ordered at the previously disclosed price. If you’ve adequately organized your food truck’s storage space, arranging and storing the order should be easy.

And when it’s time for your next order, ensure to take inventory to know exactly what you need. Also remember to consider pricing, convenience, delivery options, and above all, quality when sourcing for suppliers. Note that if something barely tastes good, it won’t sell. Never compromise on quality to get a good deal.

Conclusion

As a food truck owner, it is imperative that you always make a detailed shopping list of ingredients. If you are buying food from wholesalers, endeavor to understand how much you need, how much you can safely keep fresh, and how much you can sell before the food or ingredients spoil.

Have it in mind that it is always better to run out of food on a busy day than to offer customers something that isn’t fresh.