There are a few considerations if you’re a new or existing business that needs consistently fresh, and reliable dairy. To avoid wastage and last-minute shortages, it’s important to schedule your deliveries and consider the shelf life of your dairy.
So, let’s dive into how to optimise your deliveries for freshness and convenience.
Why Fresh Dairy is Important
Maintaining a supply of fresh dairy is essential to keep your customers or employees happy with a consistent supply of fresh products. Bad scheduling practices can lead to shortages and food waste, which is bad for your bottom line and for customer satisfaction. It’s particularly important if you’re running a food service business or café, where fresh dairy can make or break your reputation.
Why understanding dairy shelf life is vital.
Different dairy products have different shelf life, so it’s essential to have a system that keeps track. Here are some general guidelines:
- Fresh milk can last, on average, up to 10 days, but in reality, for ultimate freshness, it should be consumed within a few days of opening.
- Cream and yoghurt can last around 1-3 weeks, depending on the type, but again, for businesses, the goal should be to use these products within the first week to ensure a fresh taste.
- Hard cheese such as cheddar can last, on average, up to a few months if it’s refrigerated and unopened.
- Soft cheeses and butter should be consumed within a week or two.
- UHT milk can be stored at room temperature for a few months if it’s not opened, which is ideal for stocking milk.
However, the key is to always check the expiration date and the best-before date, which shows when the dairy should be fresh until.
Ordering Dairy: Best Practices
If you run a busy business that relies on a fresh stream of dairy, like a bakery or café, then you should consider staggering a few deliveries a week so you can ensure there is no shortage. It’s also smart to ensure deliveries are completed before peak periods like weekends.
Smaller offices and workplaces that need lower quantities can benefit from weekly local milk delivery.
All businesses should consider storage space and anticipated needs based on customer demands.
Tips For Avoiding Waste
Storing dairy properly is one of the best ways to avoid wastage. If in doubt, check with your milk supplier about the ideal conditions. To help you manage your stock, you can use the FIFO method (first in, first out) to ensure that you’re rotating stock properly. Here are some more tips:
- Check the expiration date as soon as you get a delivery.
- Organise your fridge so that it’s clear what products need to be used first.
- Ensure that products like butter and cheese are sealed and stored correctly.
Our Solutions
At MV Milk and Foodservice, we offer flexible delivery schedules that are tailored to your needs. We work with local dairy suppliers to provide fresh milk delivery orders straight to your door.
So, if you’ve been Googling “Milk suppliers near me”, get in touch to find out how we can help you meet your business’s fresh dairy requirements!
