No matter if it’s meat or fruit and vegetables, picking the proper supplier for your establishment is crucial since it promotes consistency in orders and builds confidence. When looking for a wholesale meat provider, there are a few factors to bear in mind. Here are six things to think about while looking for the ideal supplier of meat for your company.

Our Choice

Before we get into the process of choosing a good meat supplier, we’d like to talk about our own journey. Previously Bendigo Wine Estate was exclusively a vineyard and winery with tastings and tours. However, after a few years, we started to introduce dining as a regular part of our offerings with the tastings. We knew that events such as weddings would be on the horizon so we wanted to secure the best meat supplier possible. We tasked ourselves (and mainly our chef) with tasting various types of meat that paired well with our wines to get the perfect fit.

For example, when looking for a perfect match to pair with our Pinot Noir, our minds immediately turned to lamb. But we also considered that not everyone would have a pinot noir. Some might have a rosé or a white. So we had to pick a lamb that worked with quite a few wines. That’s when we built our checklist below and narrowed down the highest quality lamb possible.

Certifications

For any wholesale meat provider, a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) certificate is required. All vendors are required to follow this health and safety policy, and it includes frequent audits by the regulatory body. Never enter a supplier’s facility if the HACCP certificate is not current.

Other certifications exist as well, such Meat Standards Australia (MSA) and venue-specific certifications like Halal or Kosher. Although MSA certification is not required, it does indicate that the supplier is prepared to adhere to the most recent trends and requirements for meat qualification.

Product variety versus cost

When looking for a high-end item at a bargain price, these factors are frequently used. However, when meat prices and price ranges are combined, it might be challenging to compare the two. For instance, the listed prices for New York Wagyu style steaks can range from $20 to $100 per kilogram. On the surface, this seems like a great deal, but the quality of the cut is not always known without information that suppliers are able to provide.

By choosing a supplier with a broad selection of goods, you will have the freedom to experiment with different meat grades to find the ideal level of quality and cost for your establishment.

Quality & Consistency

For chefs and venue owners, quality and consistency are important priorities. However, concessions must be made to suppliers because of seasonal variations, weather phenomena, and variations in the stock availability from primary suppliers as a result of exports, particularly for game meat kinds. Simply chat with your suppliers to reduce these risks as they may offer advice and suggestions on the cut or brand to purchase. 

Packaging & Labelling

We’re not talking about branding and how aesthetic the packaging looks (although that also helps). In order to guarantee that a venue receives the goods it has bought, packaging and labelling are essential. Suppliers can store meat products in a variety of methods, including cold storage and vacuum sealing. The most popular method is vacuum sealing, which is done at the location of the butcher or the meat supplier. To verify that quality requirements are fulfilled, suppliers would then label the product with the packed and best before dates.

The Ordering Process

When choosing your wholesale meat provider, it is undoubtedly important to take the ordering procedure into account. If you place orders frequently, you want the ordering process to be quick and simple.

Traditional techniques have been updated by online wholesale markets in recent years, greatly improving the experience for both the venue and the supplier. With the option to order from saved suppliers and “favourites” lists, venues can process orders more quickly and with fewer mistakes.

Timeliness

Suppliers may control venue expectations and assist prevent any unwanted delays or surprises by using order, delivery, and cutoff times. It might be challenging to handle different supplier minimum order quantities and delivery schedules manually, so make sure you pay attention to the schedules and details of supply.