It’s no secret that being a foodservice distributor is a competitive market. There is a lot of competition, and larger companies tend to have innate advantages, especially when it comes to relationships with trusted food suppliers, product minimums, and cash flow. It can be challenging for newer or smaller distribution companies to break into the market and grow their product offerings and customer base. By nature, the needs and desires of distributors are largely the opposite of those of the food vendors they Partner with. Because the food vendors are the keepers of the products the distributors sell, and food vendors can control who they sell products to, when, in what quantity, and at what cost, the weight of adapting largely falls on the distributors. That’s where working with a leading foodservice redistributor can help. Foodservice redistribution companies like Honor Foods can help bridge the gap between food distributors and trusted food suppliers. Leading foodservice redistributors can purchase products the way the trusted food suppliers want and sell them in a way that benefits food distributors. This helps decrease the barrier of entry for new or smaller distributors by affording them the same opportunities as their large competitors. Here are 14 advantages to working with a leading foodservice redistributor like Honor Foods as a food distributor.
14 Advantages to Working With a Leading Foodservice Redistributor Like Honor Foods
- Food Service Redistribution Means No Manufacturer Minimums for Food Distributors
- Foodservice Redistribution Means Less Warehousing Space Needed for Food Distributors
- Foodservice Redistribution Means Decreased Risk for Food Distributors
- Foodservice Redistribution Means Expanded Product Selection for Food Distributors
- Foodservice Redistribution Means Competitive Pricing for Food Distributors
- Foodservice Redistribution Means Shorter Lead Times for Food Distributors
- Foodservice Redistribution Means More Frequent Deliveries for Food Distributors
- Foodservice Redistribution Means More Growth Opportunities for Food Distributors
- Foodservice Redistributions Means Improved Service Levels for Food Distributors
- Foodservice Redistribution Means Out-of-Stock Reduction for Food Distributors
- Foodservice Redistribution Means Faster Out-of-Stock Recovery for Food Distributors
- Foodservice Redistribution Means Increased Inventory Turns and Cash Flow for Food Distributors
- Food Service Redistribution Means the Balancing of Inventories for Food Distributors
- Foodservice Redistribution Means the Efficiency of One Partner for Food Distributors
1. Food Service Redistribution Means No Manufacturer Minimums for Food Distributors
One of the most significant challenges for food distributors when working directly with manufacturers is meeting quantity minimums. Food vendors benefit from selling large quantities. Moving large quantities can be difficult for distributors, especially when it is a new or less popular item. This also makes it difficult for jobbers or smaller distributors to access the same food product catalog as their larger competitors. By using food redistribution, distributors can purchase items in as little as one case because they can order multiple different products from different vendors, all from one place, eliminating the need for manufacturer product minimums.
2. Foodservice Redistribution Means Less Warehousing Space Needed for Food Distributors
Storing products can be a hassle and expensive. A lot of space, knowledge, and equipment is required to run warehousing safely and effectively. This can be one of the most significant barriers to entry for distributors simply because they don’t have a way to store products in the quantity they need to purchase from trusted food suppliers. In addition, there are often limits on how frequently products can be bought from manufacturers due to the demand and market size. Distributors don’t need to store nearly as much product by working with foodservice redistribution companies. The redistribution company handles the bulk of the warehousing side, and the distributor can focus on getting the product to the end users as needed. With leading redistributors like Honor Foods, food distributors can also schedule multiple deliveries or pick-ups in a week. At Honor Foods, we have some Partners that pick up daily and many with deliveries numerous times a week. That puts the need to store and pick items on us while the distributor focuses on getting the product to the end user.
3. Foodservice Redistribution Means Decreased Risk for Food Distributors
Because the foodservice redistributor stores the bulk of the product, that puts more of the risk and hassle of storage on us instead of the food distributor. By using a foodservice redistribution company, it falls on the redistributor to make sure the product is turned before expiration and to ensure they can sell all the products they buy. It falls on the foodservice redistribution company to determine best practices for storing and picking large amounts of product. The redistribution company works with trusted food suppliers to ensure they have enough products and coordinate deliveries. This takes some of the biggest challenges off the distributor and allows them to do what they do best: get the product to the end user and keep items off the 86’d menu.
4. Foodservice Redistribution Means Expanded Product Selection for Food Distributors
Food distributors can access a more extensive food product catalog by working with a leading foodservice redistributor like Honor Foods. The way redistribution works is that the foodservice redistribution companies buy products in bulk from trusted food suppliers and sell the product in smaller quantities to food distributors. The advantage of this to food distributors is that distributors are not forced to purchase large quantities of items from trusted food suppliers that they don’t need just to meet product minimums set forth by the manufacturer. Because food distributors can buy only what they need, turn it quickly, and not have to worry about large amounts of storage, they can offer a larger food product catalog to their restaurant and foodservice Partners, knowing that they can purchase as little as one case of a particular product from Honor Foods. This also allows food distributors to support end users wishing to test new menu items or try new products without a huge commitment or investment. Food distributors can also offer the entire catalog of their food redistribution Partners, which for Honor Foods Partners is over 3,000 products from over 300 trusted food suppliers. This, in turn, makes it easier for food distributors to grow, offering end users the opportunity to purchase a multitude of items all from one place, providing convenience and efficiency.
5. Foodservice Redistribution Means Competitive Pricing for Food Distributors
Working with a leading foodservice redistributor can allow food distributors access to bulk pricing without buying in bulk, allowing them to be more competitive with their competition. While it is a common misconception that adding another link in the supply chain increases prices, that is actually a myth. Foodservice redistribution companies like Honor Foods have agreements with trusted food suppliers that allow them to keep the pricing in line with what you would pay if you purchased product directly from the manufacturer. In addition, foodservice redistribution companies work hard to collaborate with trusted food suppliers to create a mutually beneficial relationship that allows distributors to still access programs they have negotiated with the manufacturers on items purchased through redistribution, such as rebates, shelter, food shows, flyer allowances, DSR spiffs, bill-back promises, and more.
6. Foodservice Redistribution Means Shorter Lead Times for Food Distributors
When purchasing products directly from food vendors, there are often gaps between when you place the order and when you are able to receive it. This gap is the result of supply and demand. In addition, the lead time lengthens when you must wait until you require a certain quantity of an item to order. By working with a leading foodservice redistributor, you can decrease lead times and increase your customer service.
7. Foodservice Redistribution Means More Frequent Deliveries for Food Distributors
Especially when working with Honor Foods, which specializes in providing products from dairy food suppliers, it is easy to schedule a delivery or pick-up whenever you need it, even if it is between your typically scheduled day. Because of our dairy specialty, our distributors tend to get deliveries more frequently due to the innate product shelf life. It also means distributors are visiting their restaurant Partners more regularly. Familiarity can often build trust, and it definitely breeds convenience. Suppose a distributor is already delivering dairy items multiple times a week. In that case, it is easy to slowly have that distributor bring other items, too, decreasing the amount of Partners needed, creating more efficiency and less risk.
8. Foodservice Redistribution Means More Growth Opportunities for Food Distributors
Because of the increased deliveries, adding additional items a restaurant may need is easy. Because of our extensive product catalog, it is easy for a distributor who works with us to fulfill that request. This frequency associated with dairy products allows our Distribution Partners an opportunity to grow into new product areas. While we specialize in dairy, we also have an extensive frozen and dry food supplier network that allows our distributors a wide variety of items to offer their customers.
9. Foodservice Redistributions Means Improved Service Levels for Food Distributors
Due to shorter lead times and access to a wide variety of products quickly, working with a leading foodservice redistributor allows food distributors to provide increased customer service levels. Nothing is worse than taking a popular dish off the menu because the restaurant doesn’t have the ingredients. If a distributor who was scheduled to deliver a dairy product can get the missing crab cakes as well, it won’t go unnoticed. In addition to allowing food distributors to provide increased service levels to their customers, working with a leading foodservice redistributor also increased service levels for the distributor. Working with multiple food vendors as a distributor can be time-consuming. Having to try to track down needed products isn’t always easy. By working with a leading foodservice redistribution company like Honor Foods, you have a point of contact dedicated to ensuring you have what you need when you need it.
10. Foodservice Redistribution Means Out-of-Stock Reduction for Food Distributors
Having products out-of-stock is one of the biggest causes of a food distributor losing business. When a product is out of stock, the end user will rush to find it, and if that means their typical distribution Partner doesn’t have it, they will turn to someone else. Often, they will keep purchasing that product from whoever could step up and find it when no one else could. To reduce the loss of business, reducing your out-of-stock rates as a food distributor is vital. Working with a leading foodservice redistributor like Honor Foods reduces the out-of-stock rate significantly because you have a source to get more product quickly when you need it. A food redistribution company stocks enough products to supply not just you but many distributors, meaning they will likely have product available when you need it.
11. Foodservice Redistribution Means Faster Out-of-Stock Recovery for Food Distributors
In addition to helping prevent the dreaded out-of-stock predicament, working with a leading foodservice food redistributor helps recover if another product source or your end user runs out of a product. Maybe a customer decides on a last-minute special and needs more supply, or another Partner had supply chain issues that delayed a shipment. Working with a food redistribution company is another person you can call who keeps large quantities of many items readily available. In addition, it is a create source to find products to substitute if necessary.
12. Foodservice Redistribution Means Increased Inventory Turns and Cash Flow for Food Distributors
If you have ever watched Shark Tank, you know that cash flow is king. The secret to cash flow is not having much money tied up in inventory. If you work with a foodservice redistribution company, you eliminate the large minimums necessary to work with trusted food suppliers, allowing you to have less money tied up in inventory. By being able to only buy what you need, you don’t have to worry about losing money on expired items you can’t turn.
13. Food Service Redistribution Means the Balancing of Inventories for Food Distributors
How do you know how much you need of what product? How do you know the latest foodservice trends and what you will need to provide your customers for them to stay relevant? How do you determine how much inventory to stock so you don’t have products you can’t turn but also don’t run out of a product your customer needs, forcing them to turn to a different distributor and risking you losing that business for good? It’s a delicate balance, and the most straightforward answer is food redistribution. Food redistribution is like having a pot of gold at your disposal that you aren’t responsible for guarding. You have a place you can turn to when you need more product and can trust you will have it quickly. It allows you not to have to overstock your inventory, just not to understock the products you need. It alleviates some of the risk that the redistribution company absorbs.
14. Foodservice Redistribution Means the Efficiency of One Partner for Food Distributors
There is great value in having one source for multiple items. It allows you to coordinate billing with one Partner. It enables you to coordinate transportation to one place. It allows there to be one process for obtaining products. It allows for one point of contact. It will enable for one order, delivery, and invoice. One is just simpler, quicker, and easier to manage. By working with a redistribution company, you can get all your items from multiple food vendors in one place, allowing you to enjoy the efficiency and convenience of one.
Conclusion
Working with a leading foodservice redistributor is a great way for food distributors to grow their business, alleviate risk, and provide the best possible service for their restaurant and foodservice Partners. Foodservice Redistribution helps food distributors maintain cash flow by alleviating product minimums from food vendors, allowing food distributors to be more agile. In addition, working with a leading foodservice redistributor allows food distributors to have access to a more extensive food product catalog, complete with a wider variety of products from hundreds of trusted food suppliers. In addition, our Team has extensive industry knowledge and experience. We understand what it takes for a food distributor to be successful and are committed to providing you with the best possible service, making your business operations as simple as possible. We pride ourselves on being a “distributor’s distributor” and are here to help you make it happen for your customers. If you are a food distributor, consider these 14 benefits of working with a leading foodservice redistributor before you place your next order and let us show you the value working with Honor Foods can bring to your business.
Check out our product catalog or contact a representative today to see how Honor Foods, a leading foodservice redistributor, can help your food distribution business grow and gain efficiency.
About Honor Foods
Honor Foods, a Burris Logistics Company, was founded in 1949 as a redistributor of prepared foods. Since then, Honor Foods has grown into a premier provider of frozen, refrigerated, dry, and dairy products representing more than 300 brand-name food suppliers and carrying more than 3,000 items. For more information about Honor Foods, please visit honorfoods.com.
10 Benefits Of Foodservice Redistribution For Manufacturers
- Reducing Freight Costs by Limiting LTL Trucking
- Simplifying the Receivables Process
- Introducing New Items
- Access to Additional Unknown Customers
- Reduced Credit Risk
- Simplified Logistics
- Additional Sales Support
- Outsourced management of small, high-cost-to-serve customer orders
- IT Infrastructure With Advanced Reporting
- Leading Foodservice Redistributors Operate as an Extension of the Packer
It’s no secret that today’s food and beverage industry is competitive. With rising costs and more food vendors popping up with innovative products, manufacturers must focus on finding supply chain efficiencies that save money and constantly find ways to penetrate the market and reach new customers. That’s why foodservice redistribution companies have gained popularity over the past few years. Foodservice redistribution bridges the gap between the needs of food vendors and food distributors, offering distinctive advantages for each to help them operate in a manner that is most beneficial for them and providing solutions for the challenges the differing needs of food vendors and food distributors create. Here are ten benefits for food vendors working with a leading food service redistributor like Honor Foods.
1. Reducing Freight Costs By Limiting LTL Trucking
When food vendors work with food distributors, they often rely heavily on LTL trucking as the mode of transport. Food distributors often look to purchase in smaller quantities, while food vendors like to sell in large quantities. LTL trucking is usually the result, with manufacturers having ten orders on one truck, all going to different places. It is no secret that LTL trucking is often the most expensive mode, which is not beneficial for the food vendor or the food distributor. Instead, by working with a leading food redistributor like Honor Foods, purchase from food vendors in bulk. We have food vendors deliver by the truckload, then sell multiple items to distributors from numerous vendors to fit their needs, cutting down on the LTL trucking costs for both parties. In addition, at Honor Foods, we have a great partnership with our sister company Trinity Logistics which can help broker any freight needs for us and our Partners.
2. Simplifying The Receivables Process
Along with the increased transportation costs the need for LTL trucking creates, it also creates inefficiencies in the receivables process. Having to bill ten customers with orders on an LTL truck takes more time than billing just one and creates additional receivable costs that could be avoided. Having to bill an increased number of customers for a single LTL truck also increases the risk of potential receivables issues, including short payments, damage claims, refused items, and unearned cash discounts taken. Working with a leading foodservice redistributor removes many receivable headaches and costs. These savings often largely offset the cost offered to the redistributor as part of the redistribution allowance.
3. Introducing New Items
Introducing new items to the market can be challenging even for established, trusted food suppliers. There is no secret that this is a hot button with brokers and direct sales reps. It is not uncommon for significant financial incentives/penalties to be tied into the broker’s ability to introduce new items. Distributors are hesitant about buying new items until demand is there. Risk is always associated with introducing a new product until it has been tested in the market. Therefore, getting distributors and end users on board is difficult due to the space and monetary commitment. Brokers or direct sales reps often have to make the sale twice on new items. They have to sell it to a major end-user and then sell it to a distributor to bring the item in. The distributor doesn’t want to slot it and buy a minimum quantity to speculate on. Working with a leading food service redistributor helps mitigate the risks for food distributors and opens opportunities for food vendors. By using food redistribution, food vendors can use the redistributor’s relationship with food distributors to convince them to try new products in a low-commitment way. This can include offering food demos or selling quantities as low as one case. Food distributors are much more willing to try something new when little to no risk is involved until it has been proven in the market.
4. Access To Additional Unknown Customers
Another advantage for trusted food suppliers who use a leading foodservice redistributor is the access to additional unknown customers. Because of the large quantity minimums and long lead times food vendors operate with, it limits what distributors have access to their products. Food distributors need to be able to store large quantities of products or have several end users to distribute them to, and for many, that isn’t the case. Working with a redistributor, a frozen and dry food supplier, and even a dairy food supplier can reach small to midsize distributors and, therefore, their end users. This opens up new doors for food vendors to reach new customers that may not be on their radar. There is a considerable advantage to food vendors being able to reach these restaurants before they grow and creating brand loyalty with their products before they scale.
5. Reduced Credit Risk
Working with a leading foodservice redistributor reduces credit risk. For one, there are more flexible billing options. Secondly, it is a lot easier to trust a leading foodservice redistributor with an experienced accounting Team and test accounting procedures is going to pay the bill promptly with minimal hassle. It makes it much simpler and less risky to deliver large quantities to one established company than multiple small loads to various places.
6. Simplified Logistics
Aside from the financial benefits of delivering truckload quantities versus LTL quantities, there are also logistical advantages. It is much easier to plan routes. It is easier to establish a delivery schedule. It makes the warehousing operations more straightforward and more efficient. It takes a driver less time to complete a route going one place than several. That increases the amount of loads that can be delivered and can help with turn times. Logistics by nature is complex, so any opportunity to simplify the process is helpful, which is what working with a leading foodservice redistributor does.
Who doesn’t want more people trying to sell your product for you? That is precisely what food redistribution companies do. Selling your product and having an extensive food product catalog with quality products is just as beneficial to them as it is to you. Therefore they have their own sales Team, in addition to your sales Team, responsible for getting to know your product and selling that to their customers. This includes customers that maybe purchase other products from them but has never purchased your brand before. This is a new opportunity for you. In addition, their sales Team is always looking for new customers, which benefits you. By having this knowledgeable sales Team, they can offer product demos and share information with people you otherwise wouldn’t be able to reach, helping your business grow.
7. Additional Sales Support
Who doesn’t want more people trying to sell your product for you? That is precisely what food redistribution companies do. Selling your product and having an extensive food product catalog with quality products is just as beneficial to them as it is to you. Therefore they have their own sales Team, in addition to your sales Team, responsible for getting to know your product and selling that to their customers. This includes customers that maybe purchase other products from them but has never purchased your brand before. This is a new opportunity for you. In addition, their sales Team is always looking for new customers, which benefits you. By having this knowledgeable sales Team, they can offer product demos and share information with people you otherwise wouldn’t be able to reach, helping your business grow.
8. Outsourced Management Of Small, High-Cost-To-Serve Customer Orders
By working with a leading foodservice redistributor, food vendors can outsource the management of small, high-cost-to-serve customer orders. For every Partner, there is a cost-to-serve, which varies by the size of the Partner you are working with. As a food vendor, it can be hard to strike a balance. While the cost-to-serve is lower with larger customers that have frequent, large quantities and a customer base they deliver to consistently, food vendors can’t rely on them alone and have a successful business. It is necessary to work with up-and-coming Partners and their market base to avoid missing opportunities. What if one of them will one day serve the new national chain, and they won’t work with you because you refused to serve them when they were smaller? It isn’t a food business move, but you also have to be operationally cost-efficient as a business. Using foodservice redistribution companies can help strike that balance. It allows growing Partners to still have access to your products, but it takes the operational costs off of you. Using foodservice redistribution companies enables you to focus on the low-cost-to-serve customers, which is the category of leading foodservice redistribution companies. It lets them handle the high- cost-to-serve customers in a more efficient way that they excel.
9. IT Infrastructure With Advanced Reporting
There is great value in data and reporting, especially in the foodservice industry. This data can help predict trends, giving food vendors time to innovate and judge what products the market wants. By working with a leading food redistributor like Honor Foods, you can access their IT infrastructure and advanced reporting capabilities. This can show you what new markets you are hitting, help with demand planning, increase efficiencies in shipping, and more. While many larger food vendors have their own advanced IT infrastructure, tapping into that of a redistributor offers you a different set of data from new markets and a greater product mix.
10. Leading Foodservice Redistributors Operate as an Extension of the Packer
Distributors often play one packer of the other in the same category to get the best deal. Because distributors have limited storage capability, it often limits how many types of a specific product category they can offer the end user, forcing them to decide between products and therefore making that decision for the end users they work with. This limits market penetration for food vendors. Foodservice redistribution companies work entirely differently. Instead of pinning food vendors against each other, they try to build Partnerships with as many trusted food suppliers as possible. They aim to offer an extensive food product catalog. Because of the relationship trusted leading foodservice redistributors such as Honor Foods have with distributors of all sizes, they can easily get new products in their hands through food demos and low commitment, low quantity orders. Therefore, they operate as an extension of the packer, working to market products, introduce them to new distributors, and ultimately get them into the hands of end users. Foodservice redistribution companies are committed to growing the food vendor’s business long-term because doing so is mutually beneficial.
Conclusion
Working with a leading foodservice redistributor helps food manufacturers grow, reach new markets, and reduce costs and headaches. With the increasing costs of distribution causing increases in minimums and adding to lead times, food redistribution companies are bridging the gap between trusted food suppliers and food distributors by building mutually beneficial Partnerships.
Learn more about how Honor Foods, a leading foodservice redistributor, can help dairy food suppliers and frozen and dry food suppliers grow, create efficiencies, and reduce costs.
About Honor Foods
Honor Foods, a Burris Logistics Company, was founded in 1949 as a redistributor of prepared foods. Since then, Honor Foods has grown into a premier provider of frozen, refrigerated, dry, and dairy products representing more than 300 brand-name food suppliers and carrying more than 3,000 items. For more information about Honor Foods, please visit honorfoods.com.
Everything You Need To Know About Plant-Based Food Trend In The Restaurant Industry And What That Means For Distributors And Manufacturers
- What Is The Plant-Based Food Trend?
- What Types Of Plant-Based Food Products Are There?
- Why Has The Plant-Based Food Trend Become So Popular?
- Who Is Eating Plant-Based Food?
- How Popular Are Plant-Based Items On Restaurant Menus?
- What Is The Expected Growth Of The Plant-Based Food Industry?
- What Does The Plant-Based Food Industry Need To Do To Stay Relevant?
- The Future of the Plant-Based Food Trend
- What Challenges Do Plant-Based Food Items Propose To Restaurants?
- What Kinds Of Plant-Based Food Items Are Available For Distributors To Sell To Restaurants?
- How Can Distributors Help Restaurants Succeed In The Plant-Based Sector?
- How Can Honor Foods Help Distributors Provide A Greater Selection Of Plant-Based Food Items To Restaurants?
- How Can Honor Foods Help Plant-Based Manufacturers Grow?
What do burgers, meatballs, pepperoni, and milk have in common? They are all popular plant-based items!
2023 has seen a massive uptick in the popularity of plant-based foods. According to Datassential’s 2023 Food Trends, 40% of consumers plan to purchase plant-based meat products in 2023. This presents a multitude of both challenges and opportunities for the restaurant industry.
While the plant-based food trend has been around for a while, recent years have seen rapid growth and a higher adaption rate, even by those who don’t follow a strict plant-based diet. With the uptick in consumers jumping on this trend, it begs the question, is it here to stay or just a fad, and what do restaurants need to know to incorporate plant-based items on their menu profitably and successfully? Moreover, what do distributors need to know to help their restaurant Partners stock the right plant-based items in the right quantities without building a supply larger than the demand? What products can manufacturers incorporate into their offerings that make sense, and how will they get these products into the hands of restaurants and on menus?
If you are a distributor or manufacturer, here is a guide for everything you need to know about the plant-based trend in restaurants, what that means for your business, and how Honor Foods can help.
What Is The Plant-Based Food Trend?
The plant-based food trend refers to a growing number of people interested in trading in traditional meat and dairy products for products derived from plants and no animal by-products. While some choose vegetarian or vegan meals, others are looking for fan favorites made from plants, allowing them to enjoy popular items more healthily.
What Types Of Plant-Based Food Products Are There?
There are thousands of plant-based food items available. These can be unique to substitutes for traditionally less healthy food items, allowing consumer favorites to follow a health-conscious diet. For example, tater tots made of cauliflower, burgers made of vegetables, pasta made which chickpeas, steaks made of cauliflower, and noodles made of zucchini are all plant-based items.
Why Has The Plant-Based Food Trend Become So Popular?
There are many reasons the plant-based food trend has become so popular. One of the greatest is the health benefits associated with it. While there has been an increase in people choosing to adhere to a strict vegan or vegetarian lifestyle, a growing number of people are just incorporating plant-based options as a replacement for less healthy alternatives while still enjoying traditional choices. The broad range of plant-based items has allowed people adhering to popular diets such as keto or paleo, or those just looking to live a healthier lifestyle, to enjoy their favorite foods by substituting zucchini noodles for pasta.
Who Is Eating Plant-Based Food?
One of the most exciting aspects of the plant-based food trend is that it is not just people who are vegan or vegetarian that are partaking in it. In fact, 62% of people say they eat at least one meatless meal a week, according to the Bloomberg group, while still consuming traditional meat products for other meals. Their reasons vary, but one of the main ones is simply a desire to eat healthier. Many who enjoy working out want to include plant-based protein in their regiment. Others with health concerns such as high cholesterol find incorporating plant-based meals to be one avenue to a healthier life style. Other sites simply being curious to try the products or order them at restaurants simply because the menu items sound delicious.
How Popular Are Plant-Based Items On Restaurant Menus?
According to Datassential, the number of plant-based food items on menus has grown 2800% since 2018. The demand is there, creating a need for manufacturers to continue to invent and offer plant-based menu alternatives and distributors to sell a wider variety of items to end users. According to the Food Institute, about 48% of restaurants provide plant-based options, compared to 30% in 2012. In addition, there has been an increase in the number of restaurants whose menus are primarily centered around the idea of a plant-based diet and, even more, the concept of clean and healthy eating, which often includes many plant-based menu items.
What Is The Expected Growth Of The Plant-Based Food Industry?
According to Future Market Insights, the plant-based food industry is expected to grow three times its current size by 2023. With the current trend of a greater focus on healthy eating and lifestyles, the plant-based market is expected to stick around and play a huge role, even for those who still consume traditional meat products.
What Does The Plant-Based Food Industry Need To Do To Stay Relevant?
Many experts say the plant-based food industry needs to rely on innovation to stay relevant. Continuing to create new recipes and having menus offer a variety of plant-based items will keep consumers interested in trying new products. Redistribution is a great way to allow manufacturers and distributors to help grow the plant-based segment of their business because it will enable more end users to access a wider variety of plant-based products with a smaller quantity commitment from distributors who visit their facility frequently.
The Future Of The Plant-Based Food Trend
The future of the plant-based food trend lies in innovation and accessibility and is expected to continue to grow. Right now, many restaurant menus still have a limited number of plant-based items available. This presents great room to grow as consumers continue to look to order these items. While more plant-based items are lining menus across the country, there is still a vast gap in plant-based alternatives compared to what can be found in the grocery store. The reason is shelf life and expense, as well as chef experience.
What Challenges Do Plant-Based Food Items Propose To Restaurants?
Plant-based food items are often new to chefs. Because the trend is new, many chefs don’t have the same experience or diversity in training with these items as traditional meat items. As the trend continues, chefs are adding more diverse recipe ideas to their repertoire, increasing popularity. One of the other significant challenges the food service industry faces when looking to include plant-based menu items is the cost factor. Often the ingredients are more expensive to source and have a shorter shelf life. As the popularity of plant-based food items continues to grow, there is a chance some ingredients will become more prevalent. This, combined with more popularity, means ordering in larger quantities will help bring the operating cost down, establishing a better profit margin for restaurants without a considerable increase in menu prices that will deter consumers.
What Kinds Of Plant-Based Food Items Are Available For Distributors To Sell To Restaurants?
A wide variety of plant-based food items is available for redistributors to sell. One of the most common are companies like Beyond Meat, offering everything from plant-based burgers to plant-based wings to plant-based meatballs and, well, beyond. Other available items include dairy alternatives, plant-based pasta, and more!
How Can Distributors Help Restaurants Succeed In The Plant-Based Sector?
One of the best ways for distributors to help restaurants succeed in the plant-based sector is to have a variety of plant-based items available, along with the more traditional menu items, and have them available at reasonable quantities and prices. By having their typical distributors have items available readily, without a large quantity or price commitment, restaurants can help decrease the barrier of entry to the plant-based food market for restaurants. This is where redistribution can help.
How Can Honor Foods Help Distributors Provide A Greater Selection Of Plant-Based Food Items To Restaurants?
Honor Foods is a premier food redistribution company that offers various items to distributors from different manufactures. Redistribution, by nature, is designed to allow distributors to provide more products in lower quantities and products. This decreases risk for distributors and end users and will give restaurants more room for creativity, trial, and error regarding menu items and their popularity. When it comes to the plant-based food trend, having access to a wider variety of items at a lower quantity allows distributors to see what types of plant-based items restaurants are interested in, giving restaurants the freedom to try out different products and see what works on their menu and with their customers.
How Can Honor Foods Help Plant-Based Manufacturers Grow?
By working with a redistributor like Honor Foods, manufacturers can get plant-based items in the hands of distributors and, ultimately, food service providers in lower quantities, making them more likely to try incorporating new items in a new segment on their menu because it reduces the financial risk associated with new menu items, especially in a segment they may not have tried in their restaurant before. In addition, working with a redistributor like Honor Foods allows manufacturers to reach new markets they wouldn’t otherwise penetrate.
Conclusion
All signs point to the plant-based food trend staying for the foreseeable future. Now is the time to adapt and innovate in all areas of the food industry, including the manufacturer and distributor levels. Consumers are interested in plant-based items, meaning restaurants are interested in plant-based food items. Distributors have a great chance to increase their product offerings at minimal risk with the help of redistributors like Honor Foods. Manufacturers can add new popular items to their offerings and grow in a new segment of people. As demand for plant-based items grows from consumers and restaurants alike, will your business be in a position to evolve and grow with the market?
About Honor Foods
Honor Foods, a Burris Logistics Company, was founded in 1949 as a redistributor of prepared foods. Since then, Honor Foods has grown into a premier provider of frozen, refrigerated, dry, and dairy products representing more than 300 brand-name food suppliers and carrying more than 3,000 items. For more information about Honor Foods, please visit honorfoods.com.
Honor Foods Acquires Sunny Morning Foods
Honor Foods, the Burris Logistics foodservice redistribution company, has agreed to purchase Sunny Morning Foods, a foodservice redistributor with dairy expertise located in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The transaction closed on June 23, 2023.
We would like to welcome Sunny Morning to Honor Foods. We are very excited to have them on our Team, where their collective dairy expertise and reputation are a perfect fit for our redistribution business and our ONEBURRIS Workplace.
Sunny Morning Foods strengthens our portfolio and broadens our position as a preferred foodservice redistributor in the Mid-Atlantic, New England, and now Southeast regions. The addition of Sunny Morning Foods is our third dairy redistributor acquisition since Burris acquired Honor in 2007. This, coupled with brand presence and protein expertise from RW Zant in Los Angeles, CA puts Honor Foods on the path of national redistribution capability.
“This acquisition is another step towards fulfilling our longstanding strategy — to build upon our dairy expertise as a way to provide competitive differentiation within the foodservice redistribution channel while satisfying customers’ product needs,” said Walt Tullis, President of Honor Foods. “Sunny Morning Foods has an extensive offering of dairy products, including butter, cheese, and creams, under their own proprietary brands in addition to many highly regarded national brands. Further, Sunny Morning has established a reputation for superior customer service throughout the Florida marketplace, and we are excited to introduce the broader Honor Foods portfolio to their customers.”
“We are proud to welcome Sunny Morning Foods into the Burris Logistics family. As Honor Foods expands into the Southeast, it is important that we acquire a brand with similar quality, customer service, and distribution capability as Honor Foods has in the Mid-Atlantic. Beginning in 1988, Dale Volkert and Ken Carlson have built and operated a wonderful family business. This makes Sunny Morning a tremendous cultural fit, and we look forward to carrying on the Sunny Morning heritage for many years to come.” said Donnie Burris, CEO and President of Burris Logistics.
About Honor Foods
Honor Foods, a Burris Logistics Company, was founded in 1949 as a redistributor of center-of-the-plate foods. Since then, Honor Foods has grown into the Mid-Atlantic region’s premier provider of frozen, refrigerated, dry, and dairy products, representing more than 300 brand-name food suppliers and carrying more than 3,000 in-stock items. In addition, our exclusive house brands — Sommer Maid, Sunny Morning Foods, Colony Lane, and Valley Fresh, have a well-earned reputation for top quality and value at competitive prices.
Great products and prices are just part of the Honor Foods value-add. We pride ourselves in having a Team of dedicated professionals who manage each partnership. Our commitment to your business needs is what makes us unique. For more information about Honor Foods, please visit Honorfoods.com.
Here’s What We Know About The I-95 Bridge Collapse.
A section of I-95 collapsed on Sunday, June 11th, 2023 causing traffic delays and detours for Philadelphia commuters and businesses. The interstate, adjacent to the Tacony region of Philly, was destroyed due to a fire in a tanker truck carrying petroleum products.
Traffic backups continue to impact the region, but the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation worked quickly to reroute commuter and commercial traffic.
While this has been a huge national news story, it has hit especially close to home for our Honor Foods Team and Partners, as it happened just minutes away from our Tacony, Philadelphia location, and infrastructure and road closures can significantly impact the supply chain.
Honor Foods, as an integral part of a supply chain connecting vendors and foodservice distributors, relies on carefully planning routes for dozens of inbound and outbound tractor-trailers daily. The City of Philadelphia has done a fantastic job of cleaning up the damage and creating alternative routes resulting in far less traffic than expected.
For all of our carriers headed to our warehouse, here are the suggested detour routes
-1-95 Southbound: Route 63 West (Woodhaven Road), U.S. 1 South, 76 East, 676 East
-195 Northbound: I676 West, I-76 West, U.S. 1 North to Route 63 East
The best way to select your route is by visiting the detour map here
PennDOT is constantly updating this map to reflect the most timely information. Penndot is working tirelessly to make simple adjustments that improve traffic flow on detour routes and create a temporary route, which the governor estimates will be ready in less than two weeks, while the permanent repair is ongoing. Governor Shapiro estimates a temporary solution to reopen this section of I-95 will take less than 2 weeks. (See the link below.)
Because of this, our distributor Partners can still expect on-time deliveries. Our Team has used our technology and worked hard to adjust routes, schedules, and timing of items picked in the warehouse to adjust for the route variation. Our warehouse and transportation Team, working with our carriers and Team Member drivers, have so far avoided significant disruption. We are thankful for them.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your Honor Foods Buyer or Sales Team Member to assist you in any way they can.
How to stay up to speed on traffic routes to avoid I-95
Lastly, if you are planning a trip to Honor Foods or want to stay updated with the latest information, here is the best resource to stay up to speed on traffic routes and information about the incident.
Press release from Governor Shapiro
To hear about future plans and estimated repair times, check out this press release from Governor Shapiro.
Update:
I-95 reopened ahead of schedule, 12 days after the collapse. Three lanes are now open in each direction, easing the conditions of commuters and lessening traffic for trucks coming to our Philadelphia location. The temporary road is made of 2,000 pounds of lightweight, recycled glass material, has a speed limit of 45 miles per hour, and will be considered an active work zone.
Engineers have already begun work on a permanent bridge. Crews will rebuild the outer sections of the bridge, and once complete, traffic will be rerouted so the construction of the inner areas of the bridge can be completed. Once the permanent repair is done, there will again be four lanes of traffic in each direction.
We’d like to thank the over 200 members of the Philadelphia building trades for their work around the clock to build a solution that will benefit all those who rely on this road daily. With over 160,000 vehicles traveling this road daily, 14 % of that being truck traffic, this is a massive relief for the logistics industry.
About Honor Foods
Honor Foods, a Burris Logistics Company, was founded in 1949 as a redistributor of prepared foods. Since then, Honor Foods has grown into a premier provider of frozen, refrigerated, dry, and dairy products representing more than 300 brand-name food suppliers and carrying more than 3,000 items. For more information about Honor Foods, please visit honorfoods.com.
Strawberry Shortage Nationwide – How Honor Foods Can Help
- What Happened to Cause the Strawberry Shortage?
- What is the Result for Suppliers, Food Operators, and Distributors?
- How Can Honor Foods Help?
‘Tis the Season for strawberry shortcakes, strawberry lemonade, and strawberry salad. The only problem is, where are all the strawberries?
90% of strawberries harvested in the United States are grown in California. However, due to severe flooding in parts of the state, thousands of acres of the crop were lost.
The result is a scramble for strawberries nationwide during peak season and an increased cost.
However, we have a solution.
What Happened to Cause the Strawberry Shortage?
While not many people associate rain with California, that’s exactly what happened earlier this year, just weeks before strawberries were set to be harvested in the area. While the rain did wonders for the drought percentage, dropping it from 74% to 48%, according to Fresh Fruit Portal, the heavy onset of rain also caused severe flooding in areas known for strawberry production. This caused damage to about 20% of the fields in the Monterey Bay region.
To understand why rain that we would typically think was much needed in the area actually caused great harm to the crops, you must first understand why strawberries grow so well in California in a typical year. Strawberries grow best in Mediterranean climates, hot and dry. In California, the year-round moderate temperatures with sunny days and cool, humid nights are ideal for growing the crop. Strawberries are incredibly susceptible to mold, which tends to happen in wet conditions. Therefore, having strawberries sit in a field of puddles, even briefly, is not a good recipe for a healthy crop.
What is the Result for Suppliers, Food Operators, and Distributors?
Plenty of news articles have discussed the effect of the strawberry shortage in grocery stores, citing empty shelves where strawberries previously sat. However, the impact doesn’t stop there. Many items are strawberry-based in a season when many restaurants are releasing their new seasonal menus. It’s a sure sign that the Spring and Summer months are here. However, prices soar in a world where supply is low, and demand is high. This increased cost is affecting the entire foodservice supply chain.
Suppliers making strawberry-based products, like frozen strawberries, smoothie mixes, jams, etc., may not have the supply of raw ingredients available at the level they usually do. This means they have to source new products in a situation where everyone is doing the same, making them harder to come by and, again, an increased price passed down the chain.
For distributors, it takes more work to get your hands on the quantity you need at the time you need it at a beneficial price. This makes just-in-time inventory with strawberry products harder and riskier. It can also create a scramble of looking for a product to ensure your operators keep items off the 86’d list.
For food operators, it affects their menus and prices. For example, if they can’t get enough strawberry products in, they may have to adjust their menu, removing popular menu items.
How Can Honor Foods Help?
Did you know Honor Foods has its own private label called Valley Fresh? Valley Fresh offers a variety of fresh-frozen vegetables, vegetable blends, and fruits, including strawberries! Our strawberries are not sourced from California, but they do compete with the flavor associated with California strawberries.
This also means we have plenty in stock and available for the season of strawberry shortcakes and smoothies. Because they are not sourced from California, the flooding has not impacted the supply we pull from or the cost. In addition, because we already have a relationship with the supplier, we already have orders while others are scrambling to look for a source.
These containers contain large quantities of strawberries versus syrup and excellent coloring. The containers are also square and shorter, making them easier to store.
Conclusion
If you are a distributor searching for strawberries amid a shortage, check out our Valley Fresh brand. Strawberry dishes are a crowd favorite for the spring and summer months. So keep your food operators in stock with a source of delicious, well-packaged, easily accessible strawberries.
About Honor Foods
Honor Foods, a Burris Logistics Company, was founded in 1949 as a redistributor of prepared foods. Since then, Honor Foods has grown into a premier provider of frozen, refrigerated, dry, and dairy products representing more than 300 brand-name food suppliers and carrying more than 3,000 items. For more information about Honor Foods, please visit honorfoods.com.
What is Foodservice Redistribution? The Ultimate Guide from Honor Foods
Did you know that half of every dollar spent in the food industry is spent on foodservice or eating meals away from home?
Most people eat at restaurants for one of two reasons, convenience or experience.
Most people don’t think about how much work goes into making dining out a convenient option or a fun experience.
Much like how watermelons don’t grow in the back of a grocery store, your favorite menu items don’t magically appear in the restaurant kitchen. Instead, it is a several-step process that involves many people and multiple touchpoints to ensure your favorite menu items aren’t on the 86’d list.
Food redistribution is one of those steps in the supply chain that has gained popularity over the last several years. Food redistributors, like Honor Foods, get products from manufacturers to distributors, who ultimately deliver them to the restaurant’s kitchen, or at least their backdoor.
Let’s hear from Walt Tullis, President of Honor Foods, about what Foodservice Redistribution is.
“When you step back actually and look at the entire food industry, you have food service; then you have retail. What’s interesting and what a lot of people don’t know is that for every dollar a consumer spends in food, half of it is spent in food service or away from home, so it is a fairly significantly sized industry. What we do and where we provide value is we buy full truckload quantities of product from manufacturers, bring it into our locations, and then, in turn, sell to the food service distributors.”
What is foodservice redistribution and how does it work?
- What is Foodservice Redistribution?
- How does food redistribution work?
- Where do foodservice redistributors such as Honor Foods fall in the supply chain?
- Who buys from a foodservice redistributor?
- Why use a food redistributor?
- What are the benefits of foodservice redistribution?
- How does a food redistributor get product, and what products do they carry?
- How does technology enhance the foodservice redistribution industry?
- How do I Partner with a foodservice redistributor?
What is Foodservice Redistribution?
Foodservice redistribution is part of the supply chain that helps store and move food destined for the food service space. Food redistributors buy large quantities of a product from a manufacturer that makes a food product for commercial use, such as McCormick or Philly’s Best. The redistributor will then bring the product into their warehouse in large truckload quantities, where it will be divided into smaller quantities and stored until distributors purchase it. Once a distributor buys a product from a redistributor like Honor Foods, they will sell it to a foodservice company such as a restaurant, school, or hospital.
How does foodservice redistribution work?
Redistribution by definition is simply getting a product and giving it out a different way.
While the term “redistribution” is not new and can pertain to many scenarios, it was not as commonly known in the food industry supply chain until recent years, though it has been around for a while.
Let’s hear from Joe Adams, VP of Sales and Purchasing, about how the foodservice supply chain works and where food redistribution fits in.
“How the supply chain works, if you picture it, you have a manufacturer who creates product, and then you have a distributor who purchases product, and then ultimately you have where the product is consumed, and that consumption is done by operators. How we support the supply chain is we are in the middle of all that. As the product is made by the manufacturer, we buy from a manufacturer; then we sell to a distributor. If a distributor isn’t capable of buying full trucks loads or isn’t capable of buying it efficiently, we fill in the gap there in the supply chain, and then ultimately, what we are all doing is we are getting the product to the ultimate consumer, which is you and I when we go to restaurants and or our children when they go to school.”
Where do foodservice redistributors such as Honor Foods fall in the supply chain?
A foodservice redistributor is an extra layer in the supply chain between the manufacturer and the distributor. Their job is to purchase and store large quantities of product, then sell it in smaller quantities as needed to distributors. This allows multiple distributors to purchase small quantities of items from numerous food suppliers in one place at one time.
The foodservice redistributor also serves as an additional supply source if a distributor runs out of product one of their operators’ needs and cannot get the required quantity directly from the manufacturer.
Who buys from a foodservice redistributor?
Redistributors exclusively sell to distributors. By contract, they cannot sell directly to operators such as schools and restaurants. Redistributors sell to all types of distributors, from broadline distributors such as Sysco and PFG to specialized distributors that may focus exclusively on produce or protein to smaller distributors, often called jobbers.
Why use a foodservice redistributor?
A redistributor is often used because of its storage capability, buying power, the capability of stocking large quantities, and the ability to sell in smaller case quantities than you can get from a manufacturer. Distributors can purchase smaller quantities of products from multiple suppliers at once on a frequent basis, reducing the need for distributors to store items and minimizing risk.
What are the benefits of foodservice redistribution?
Food redistribution has many benefits, including inventory management, lower cost, accessibility, and just-in-time inventory.
For distributors, some of the benefits are:
Reduces Inbound Deliveries:
Instead of having 100 different food suppliers bring products to your warehouse, or worse, having drivers pick them up from 100 different food suppliers, you can go to one warehouse and get all the different products you need for your food service providers.
Erases Minimums:
Instead of buying products your food service centers aren’t interested in just to meet the purchase minimums from food suppliers, you can “cherry pick” and only buy what you need when needed.
Less Storage:
Distributors don’t need to worry about holding large qualities of products for long periods. This makes their turn rate much quicker, reducing food waste due to expiration dates. In addition, because a food redistributor works with multiple distributors, they can turn more products much faster.
Enables smaller distributors to enter the foodservice industry:
By removing the need to purchase and store large quantities of products at the distribution level, it reduces the barrier to entry. This means lower pricing for food service companies due to more competition.
Another Product Source:
For larger broadline distributors, foodservice redistribution can offer another place to purchase products when they are low on quantity to meet the demands of their operators.
Cash Flow Positive:
By not tying up large sums of money on products sitting in storage, distributors can maintain a better cash flow.
Adjust your inventory levels to the world:
By not storing more products than you need as a distributor, you can adjust your inventory levels to changes in the market, world events, etc.
Just-in-Time Inventory:
Using a foodservice redistributor allows distributors to have “just in time” inventory for deliveries without stocking large amounts of product. Just-in-time inventory is exactly what it sounds like. You get the inventory just in time to deliver to a food service company.
Let’s hear from Joe Adams about the importance of being cash flow positive, adjusting inventory levels, and the increased need for just-in-time inventory.
In addition to being beneficial for distributors, foodservice redistribution benefits food suppliers. By selling products to redistributors, food suppliers can sell large quantities of products while getting the product into the hands of more food service providers in smaller amounts.
How does a food redistributor get the product, and what products do they carry?
Foodservice redistributors purchase large quantities of products directly from food suppliers such as Perdue, Beyond Meats, and Agrosuper. In addition, they typically carry an extensive range of products from several different food suppliers. For example, Honor Foods has over 300 brand-name food suppliers and carries over 3,000 in-stock items. View the complete Honor Foods product catalog.
How does technology enhance the foodservice redistribution industry?
At Honor Foods, our proprietary technology helps us forecast and buy products. This allows us to ensure we have the right products in the right quantities for our food distribution Partners. It also allows us to provide products if other sources are unavailable. By allowing us to predict market and buying trends, we can provide our foodservice distribution Partners with enough products to keep up with the influx and changing demands of food service companies.
How do I Partner with a foodservice redistributor?
Whether you are a foodservice supplier or a food distributor, we want to Partner with you.
Conclusion:
Working with a foodservice redistribution company like Honor Foods can level the playing field for smaller distributors and provide excellent value in terms of cash flow and inventory management for broadline distributors. Food redistribution is a valuable part of the supply chain and is pivotal in getting products from food suppliers to food service providers. Learn more about how Honor Foods can Partner with food suppliers and food distributors to help ensure the ingredients for your favorite dish stay stocked in the kitchen and off the 86’d list.
About Honor Foods
Honor Foods, a Burris Logistics Company, was founded in 1949 as a redistributor of prepared foods. Since then, Honor Foods has grown into a premier provider of frozen, refrigerated, dry, and dairy products representing more than 300 brand-name food suppliers and carrying more than 3,000 items. For more information about Honor Foods, please visit honorfoods.com.
Each week Honor Foods Dairy Specialist David Albert provides you with Dave’s Weekly Market Update, with some valuable insights on the most current market price changes on eggs, butter, cheese, and cream products.
Eggs:
Eggs have continued to rise as 4th quarter holiday baking is underway. Supplies are still short to needs, so I do expect more next week. There were another 1 million birds taken out due to another outbreak in Iowa.
Butter:
Butter tanked this week and rebounded some today. We, like everyone, can not get new products in right away, so we have to come down gradually so as not to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars. I never thought this would happen this early in the year.
Cheese:
Both blocks and Barrels slipped this week. Blocks only a few cents and barrels almost 20 cents. The spread is finally in the proper perspective. Blocks over Barrels but much higher than the old normal of 2 or 3 cents.
Cream:
Due to the drop in the butter market, we decided to come off some on the price of all our heavy cream. Both Sommer Maid and Golden Sunshine. were reduced in price. We brought in half gallons of half and a half due to the current shortages of this item. It is packed 6/case, and we are going out next week at $4.45 per unit or $2.225 per quart.
We all thank you and hope you have an awesome weekend. Go Phillies!
Honor Foods – Value-Added Redistributor
Honor Foods is a Value Added Redistributor with a wide spectrum of services, such as foodservice redistribution; 3000 stocked items from 300 well-known brand name companies; Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and now Westcoast reaches; low minimums and short lead times; buying group for enhanced purchasing power; commodity-driven comprehensive pricing; and serving foodservice restaurants, academic institutions, and government facilities.
Would Like to Partner With Honor Foods or Learn More?
To learn more about the services that the Honor Foods Dedicated Team provides, give us a call at (800) 462-2890, or click on one of the links to learn why you should choose Honor Foods or, if interested in partnership, click on the button Become An Honor Foods Customer and fill up the form.
About Honor Foods
Honor Foods, a Burris Logistics Company, was founded in 1949 as a redistributor of center-of-the-plate foods. Since then, Honor Foods has grown into the Mid-Atlantic region’s premier provider of frozen, refrigerated, dry, and dairy products, representing more than 300 brand-name food suppliers and carrying more than 3,000 in-stock items. In addition, our exclusive house brands — Colony Lane and Valley Fresh, have a well-earned reputation for top quality and value at competitive prices.
Great products and prices are just part of the Honor Foods value-add. In addition, we pride ourselves on having a Team of dedicated professionals who manage each partnership. Our commitment to your business needs is what makes us unique. Learn more at www.honorfoods.com.
Over the past several decades, women have steadily advanced their careers in third-party logistics, supply-chain distribution, and redistribution due to their dedication, performance, outstanding work ethic, and continuous focus on improvement and success. However, when it comes to professionalism and performance – women rely on their natural ability to multitask and are capable mentors and leaders.
Honor Foods has been the Mid-Atlantic region’s premier redistributor of frozen, refrigerated, dry, and dairy products since 1949, and all that success we would not have achieved if not for Women at Honor Foods. Besides growing as a business, contributing to our Team Members and helping them take care of their families has helped Honor to drastically advance in the marketplace and become increasingly valued by our customers and vendors. In addition, Honor Foods recognizes the merit of supporting women as they are an integral part of our winning business and culture.
Honor Foods is honored to highlight four outstanding women covering all sides of the redistribution business. Dominique Torres is a Recruiter and HR Assistant at Honor Foods, Lisa Bond is an Outside Sales Manager, Amanda Vanderploeg-Yarnall is an Accounts Payable Specialist, and Claudette Kelly is a Transportation Coordinator. Dominique, Lisa, Amanda, and Claudette represent different Honor Foods departments, such as HR, Sales, Financing, and Transportation. All four women are overachievers and known for their compassion to their Team Members, dedication to excellence in customer service, and their work with vendors. Here’s what each one of them identifies as when it comes to being a Woman in Logistics:
Dominique Torres
As a recruiter, Dominique Torres is the first person applicants speak to when they come for an interview. She guides new prospects through the screening processes answering questions about the positions and the company. Dominique ensures applicants feel comfortable during the interview and helps them ease into the conversation by making it more personable and casual. Dominique helps potential hires find the job that would fit them best. To the question, “How does it feel to be a woman in logistics?” she responds:
“I think it’s fantastic! I think it is fantastic to be in the warehouse in general and be a woman in it. People don’t think “women and warehouse go together”… People think it’s just a masculine job. Even when I interview women, sometimes people go, “Oh wow, you are interviewing a woman?” As for me, I feel excited! I think society automatically pushes us to other roles, and I think it is fantastic to see a woman working in this field and flourish in it—even the Truck Drivers. For example, our Truck Driver, Kate Navarro, is so good at what she does and so awesome! I love her! It is great to put an end to the stereotypes and just show society what women can do. And we can do everything.”
Lisa Bond
Lisa Bond, an Outside Sales Manager at Honor Foods, requires her to travel and meet her customers in person. Her role is to represent Honor Foods, showcase new products, and support her customers along the way. Lisa and her team have access to thousands of items from various reputable brands and make her customers‘ life easier by offering them support to increase profitability. Lisa has extensive knowledge of food and constantly implements her expertise into action. To the question, “How does it feel to be a woman in logistics?” she comments:
“It’s definitely a man’s world—the food industry in general. So prior to working for a meatball manufacturer, I worked for a candy manufacturer, more on a retail side. It really showed me that it has certainly been a male-dominated industry. However, things are changing with more women in those roles. I love seeing this change. You certainly have to have tough skin, but in our team, it is not necessary; everyone is so welcoming and supportive. We are like family here at Honor Foods.”
Amanda Vanderploeg-Yarnall
Amanda Vanderploeg-Yarnall is an Accounts Payable Specialist. She processes payroll, handles invoices, and manages inventory. Amanda is a team player and provides help to anyone who needs it. She is also currently learning how to process the expenses for the Purchasing Department, where she gets to know more about the vendors and the way they operate. To the question, “How does it feel to be a woman in logistics?” she states:
“I get along with everyone, so whether it is a male-dominated or female-dominated workplace doesn’t matter to me. Being the people-person that I am – I love working with everybody and find it very easy and enjoyable. As a Woman in Logistics, I feel very welcome here at Honor Foods. It is a very homey type of environment, very family oriented – so I love it!”
Claudette Kelly
Claudette Kelly works as a Transportation Coordinator at Honor Foods. She calls herself a “Watchdog” of the Honor Foods Drivers. Her main task is to ensure that the DOT regulations (for example, service hours) are met. In addition, Claudette ensures that all the necessary safety pre-trip and post-trip procedures are followed and drivers are compliant with their designated routes. Claudette also plays the role of the informer and processes the payroll and billing for the 3pl partners, including the Burris Logistics’ brand Trinity Logistics. To the question, “How does it feel to be a woman in logistics?” she comments:
“When I first started working at Honor Foods, I was the first woman in Transportation. So, I can proudly say that I was the first. About five years ago, we started to hire more, and now we have two other women in the department. I think that we – women have good energy. We are movers and shakers. We want to get the stuff done and move to the next project. I think that women are doing really well in this department. We get things done. I have a daughter who is on the autism spectrum. In my case, being a mom and having a child with special needs, I have to be even more organized because I am not only looking after my child growing up, I have to identify her specific needs in perspective, of where she is now and where do I want her to be. I have to always think about my daughter’s future, which also coincides with my work. Women, we multitask, organize, and prioritize like no other. I think that this is something that we have to do as moms already. And, specifically in my situation, I am used to being that kind of fast-paced person – juggling so many things at a time.”
Dominique, Lisa, Amanda, Claudette, and all the women at Honor Foods help the company grow and flourish because they know that success comes from outstanding product knowledge, excellent customer service, and investment in Team culture.
About Honor Foods
Honor Foods, a Burris Logistics Company, was founded in 1949 as a redistributor of center-of-the-plate foods. Since then, Honor Foods has grown into the Mid-Atlantic region’s premier provider of frozen, refrigerated, dry, and dairy products, representing more than 300 brand-name food suppliers and carrying more than 3,000 in-stock items. In addition, our exclusive house brands — Colony Lane and Valley Fresh, have a well-earned reputation for top quality and value at competitive prices.
Great products and prices are just part of the Honor Foods value-add. In addition, we pride ourselves on having a Team of dedicated professionals who manage each partnership. Our commitment to your business needs is what makes us unique.