Navigating the complexities of inventory management is crucial for any business. Discover the most...
The Top Food Distributors in the USA (2024)
Discover the leading wholesale food distributors in the USA for 2024, ensuring your food business thrives with top-quality supplies and services.
Running a successful store or restaurant starts with sourcing quality products from the right distributors. In the food and beverage industry, finding reliable wholesale partners is essential for ensuring you have the right inventory, delivered on time, and at competitive prices. Whether you're looking for fresh produce, gourmet items, or packaged goods, selecting the right food distributor can help you scale your business efficiently.
In this guide, we'll walk you through The Top Food Distributors in the USA (2024)—from the largest foodservice distributors to consumer packaged goods (CPG) distributors and online wholesale marketplaces. Each distributor brings something unique to the table, making it easier for you to find a partner that fits your business needs.
Top Foodservice Distributors
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Sysco – Sysco.com
Sysco is one of sthe largest foodservice distributors in the U.S., with over $68 billion in annual revenue. Sysco supplies over 700,000 customers worldwide, providing everything from fresh produce and frozen goods to kitchen supplies and equipment. Their broad reach and extensive product range make them a trusted partner for restaurants, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions. -
US Foods – USFoods.com
US Foods serves over 300,000 customers with a focus on delivering high-quality products and sustainable solutions. With more than 70 distribution centers, US Foods supports independent restaurants, multi-unit operators, and other foodservice businesses across the nation. -
Performance Food Group (PFG) – PFGC.com
With a rich history dating back to 1885, PFG serves over 150,000 customers through its extensive distribution network. Known for offering customized foodservice solutions, PFG is a key player in the U.S. food distribution market, catering to restaurants, retail outlets, and institutional clients. -
Gordon Food Service (GFS) – GFS.com
GFS is a family-owned distributor that has been in operation for over 120 years. Serving the U.S. and Canada, GFS provides high-quality food products and kitchen supplies to restaurants, healthcare institutions, and educational facilities. -
Baldor – BaldorFood.com
Specializing in fresh produce, dairy, and high-quality specialty ingredients, Baldor is the go-to for chefs and upscale restaurants looking to source the best ingredients. Their commitment to freshness and fast delivery is unmatched in the industry. -
Shamrock Foods – ShamrockFoods.com
Shamrock Foods serves the Western U.S., focusing on high-quality fresh and frozen food for restaurants, healthcare providers, and educational institutions. Known for its strong customer service and reliable distribution network, Shamrock is a key player in the region. -
Cheney Brothers – CheneyBrothers.com
Cheney Brothers offers a wide variety of products, from fresh and frozen foods to kitchen supplies. Serving customers across the Southeast U.S. and internationally, they are a trusted partner for restaurants, hotels, and institutional clients.
Top Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) Distributors
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UNFI – UNFI.com
United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) is one of the largest distributors of natural, organic, and specialty foods in North America. UNFI’s focus on health-conscious consumers makes them a great fit for retailers looking to stock healthier, on-trend products. -
Vistar – Vistar.com
Vistar provides a wide range of snacks, beverages, and candy, catering to the retail, vending, and concessions industries. Their extensive product portfolio makes them a leader in the CPG distribution space. -
Core-Mark – Core-Mark.com
Core-Mark specializes in convenience retail, offering an array of fresh, frozen, and packaged products. They serve over 40,000 locations across the U.S., making them a go-to distributor for convenience stores and gas stations. -
McLane – McLaneCo.com
McLane provides grocery and foodservice supply chain solutions, specializing in convenience stores, quick-service restaurants, and mass merchants. Their large distribution network ensures that products are delivered efficiently to over 110,000 locations nationwide. -
Performance Food Group (PFG) – PFGC.com
In addition to their foodservice offerings, PFG also has a robust CPG distribution arm, providing grocery and packaged goods to retail stores. Their wide network and deep expertise make them a top choice for many retailers.
Online Wholesale Marketplaces: The Future of Distribution
As the food distribution industry evolves, online wholesale marketplaces have become a convenient solution for many small to mid-sized businesses. These platforms connect stores and restaurants with independent food and beverage producers, allowing them to discover unique products and access flexible ordering options.
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Faire.com – Faire.com
Launched in 2017, Faire has quickly become a popular platform for retailers looking to discover unique products. Faire is an online wholesale marketplace connecting small businesses with independent makers. It offers a wide variety of products, from home goods to apparel to food. Faire has revolutionized the wholesale marketplace by bridging the gap between independent brands and retailers. Traditionally, wholesale relationships were more challenging to build, requiring trade shows, direct outreach, or intermediaries. Faire simplifies this by providing a digital platform where businesses can easily connect and transact. -
Gourmet Food Marketplace (GFM Wholesale) – GourmetFoodMarketplace.com
Gourmet Food Marketplace is a wholesale platform dedicated exclusively to gourmet and specialty foods. Unlike many traditional distributors that impose high minimum order requirements, GFM Wholesale offers no minimum orders, giving businesses the flexibility to order exactly what they need when they need it. This makes managing inventory much easier, particularly for smaller stores and restaurants that struggle to meet large minimums.How We Stand Out:
- No Order Minimums: At GFM Wholesale, you can order precisely what your business requires, whether it's a single case or a larger shipment. This flexibility is invaluable for smaller businesses that don’t want to overstock or tie up capital in excess inventory.
- Curated Selection: We focus solely on gourmet and specialty products, providing businesses access to unique, high-quality items that are often hard to find through mainstream distributors. This curated approach ensures that our customers can offer distinct and premium products.
- Fulfillment-as-a-Service (FaaS): We handle logistics, warehousing, and delivery helping to reduce overhead costs. Our efficient supply chain management ensures that your orders are delivered on time, allowing you to focus on growing your business.
As a category-focused wholesale marketplace, GFM Wholesale excels in servicing the gourmet and specialty food sector. This specialization allows us to tackle the complexities that come with fulfilling orders that larger, more generalized distributors often struggle with. Whether it’s handling less-than-a-pallet orders or shipping fragile, high-end products like glass jars of sauces or delicate pastries, GFM has optimized its fulfillment processes to ensure that even the most intricate orders are delivered with care, precision, and efficiency. By concentrating on the specialty food category, we provide businesses with the reliability and support they need to succeed.
Choosing the Right Distributor for Your Business
When selecting a distributor, it’s important to consider factors such as product variety, service area, and order flexibility. Larger distributors like Sysco and US Foods are excellent for high-volume orders, while specialized distributors like UNFI and Baldor offer niche products that appeal to specific customer bases.
For businesses seeking flexibility, online wholesale marketplaces like Gourmet Food Marketplace and Faire.com provide convenient solutions. They allow you to source unique products without the high order minimums typically required by traditional distributors.
Conclusion
In 2024, the landscape of food distribution continues to evolve, and there’s no shortage of options for businesses looking to source products efficiently. Whether you're running a local restaurant, a chain of stores, or an independent grocery outlet, partnering with the right distributor can make all the difference in your success.
At Gourmet Food Marketplace, we pride ourselves on offering flexibility, premium products, and a streamlined distribution process designed to support businesses. Explore our curated selection of gourmet foods today, and discover how we can help elevate your business.
Ready to start sourcing? Visit Gourmet Food Marketplace and discover what makes us different!