Your produce supplier directly impacts the quality of the food your business puts out, which is why establishing strong relationships with your suppliers is of utmost importance. The benefits you gain from a positive relationship are vast, and fortunately, the steps needed to create a positive relationship aren’t too tough. Here is what you should do to make your relationship with your produce supplier stronger.
Let Your Produce Supplier Know Your Expectations
Whether it be a friendly, romantic, or business relationship, communication will always be key. If you let your supplier know your expectations, you are much less likely to encounter problems later on. Suppliers have their own ways of managing food, plus they cater to many clients who have different wants and needs. Therefore, you can’t expect them to know your exact wants without giving them an overview ahead of time. Let them know where your standards are. A good supplier will rise to meet those standards.
Understand Your Produce Supplier Has Other Clients
As we just mentioned, suppliers work with a multitude of clients. Don’t assume that your supplier’s only concern is you. If you show understanding for your supplier’s situation, you will be able to set up expectations that are more feasible and appropriate. Assuming that your supplier revolves around you alone only serves to set you up for disappointment later down the line.
It’s Okay to Be a Little Personable
Your produce suppliers aren’t an unfeeling entity. They are a group of people with different feelings and personalities. Don’t be afraid to get to know them a little bit better and share a little about yourself as well. This helps keep the relationship from feeling too stiff and uptight. When you take the time to learn more about their staff, relationships become more relaxed.
Express What Your Plans and Goals Are
Your produce supplier should be aware of what plans and objectives your business has. If you’re going to either downsize or expand the business, you should let your supplier know so that they don’t get hit with the change so abruptly. Keeping your produce supplier in the loop with everything going on with your business will help them more easily adapt to your business’s changing needs.
Baywater Farms Has The Right Produce For You
Baywater Farms is a family-owned and operated farm servicing Baltimore, Washington D.C., Maryland, Delaware beaches, and the Eastern Shore. We are capable of meeting the demands of your produce distributor, restaurant produce supplier, CSA produce supplier, or wholesale produce supplier while maintaining the integrity and character of a small farm. When you work with Baywater Farms, you work with an experienced, ethical, and local farm dedicated to providing the highest-quality heirloom produce.