As one of the Midwest’s leading foodservice distributors since 1947, we’re passionate about bringing fresh, high-quality food to our customers. But our commitment goes beyond just the final product. We believe in building strong relationships with local farmers and producers, and that’s why local sourcing is a core principle of our business.
What Is Local Sourcing?
Local sourcing refers to the practice of obtaining food and ingredients from producers within a defined geographic region. This region can vary depending on the company and the types of products they offer, but it typically encompasses a radius of 100-250 miles.
Why Choose Local?
There are many compelling reasons for a food distribution company to prioritize local sourcing. Here are some of the key benefits that we love here at Graves Foods:
Fresher, Higher-Quality Food: Locally grown produce travels shorter distances, minimizing spoilage and preserving peak flavor. You can be confident you’re delivering food that’s bursting with nutrients and tastes amazing.
Supporting Local Farmers and Businesses: When you choose local, you’re investing in the economic health of your community. Your business helps create jobs, strengthens the local agricultural infrastructure, and fosters a vibrant food scene.
Environmental Responsibility: Local sourcing reduces the carbon footprint of your food supply chain. Less transportation means fewer emissions, contributing to a healthier planet.
Transparency and Traceability: Building relationships with local producers allows for greater transparency in your supply chain. You can easily visit farms, understand their practices, and be confident about the origin and quality of your ingredients.
Seasonal Variety: Local sourcing allows you to offer a wider selection of seasonal fruits and vegetables. This keeps your offerings exciting and lets your customers experience the best of what each season has to offer.
Building Stronger Customer Relationships: Many consumers today value supporting local businesses and appreciate the commitment to sustainability. By highlighting your local sourcing practices, you can build trust and loyalty with your customer base.
Challenges and Solutions for Local Sourcing
While local sourcing offers a wealth of benefits, there are also some challenges to consider:
Seasonality: Local farms may not always have a consistent year-round supply of certain products.
Variety: Depending on your location, you might not have access to all the ingredients you need locally.
Cost: Smaller farms may have slightly higher prices compared to large-scale producers.
However, there are solutions to these challenges:
Partner with a Diverse Network: Develop relationships with a variety of local producers to ensure a wider range of products throughout the year.
Embrace Seasonality: Educate your customers about seasonal offerings and create menus or recipes that highlight the freshest ingredients available.
Work with Distributors: Partner with distributors who specialize in sourcing local products to leverage their expertise and buying power.
Local Sourcing at Graves Foods
We are committed to local sourcing whenever possible. We work closely with a network of trusted local Midwest farmers and producers who share our values of quality, sustainability, and community investment.
We believe that local sourcing is not just a business practice, it’s a way to connect with our community and make a positive impact. By supporting local agriculture, we’re all working together to create a more sustainable and delicious food system.