Selecting the right diary supplier for your business is a critical decision that will impact your supply chain and the quality of your produce. Whether you’re a restaurant, catering business or an office, having fresh, high-quality dairy is essential for keeping your employees and customers happy. Here are a few important questions to ask while finding the right dairy supplier.
Where Do They Source Their Dairy From?
Knowing where your supplier sources their dairy is vital so you can ensure that it’s as fresh and sustainable as possible. Sourcing from farmers that are a long distance away means that the dairy may be less fresh, and the longer transportation times also increase the carbon footprint. This is often the case with large corporations. In contrast, local milk suppliers usually prefer to work with local farms, which is a more sustainable option and supports the local economy. It also lowers the risk of spoilage as there are shorter delivery times. So, if you’ve been Googling “milk suppliers near me,” you’re on the right track.
Delivery Times & Disruptions
Faster milk delivery times mean less chance that the dairy will spoil. It’s essential for great-tasting, fresh-smelling dairy that’s not only edible but enjoyable. Increased delivery times can disrupt your services as a business, which isn’t good for your reputation and can make your operations more stressful.
Fast dairy deliveries are especially important if you run a farm-to-table restaurant or advertise that you use high-quality ingredients. Ask the supplier how they handle disruptions and delays in deliveries and what contingency plans they have in place. We offer flexible deliveries with changes up to a day before because we know that last-minute challenges can happen. We also supply dairy six days a week, which is ideal for many businesses that require flexibility.
What Range of Dairy Do They Supply?
Many dairy suppliers offer more than just milk deliveries, which is vital for businesses that need other products like cheese, cream and yoghurt. By working with a dairy supplier that offers a full range of products, you can simplify your supply chain and potentially cut costs. If you require dairy such as lactose-free milk or organic dairy, you should ask about their speciality range.
Are They Focused on Food Safety?
Double-check their food and safety policies to ensure they follow quality checks and UK regulations. By double-checking their policies, certifications, and general standards, you can help ensure that the dairy you offer your customers or employees is safe for consumption.
Can They Keep Up with Your Business?
If you plan to scale your business, you will need an increase in dairy products, so it’s worth asking your supplier if they can fulfil larger orders. A local dairy supplier that can grow with you will help streamline your operations and scale without the hassle of finding a new dairy supplier. While you are still growing, it’s worth checking if they have a minimum order because some businesses may not need to buy dairy in bulk. At the same time, some suppliers may require a larger minimum order than what you need.
Understand the Contract Terms
By understanding the contract terms, you’re less likely to have any surprises later down the line. Understanding how and when to make payments before entering an agreement is also a good idea. Here at MV Milk, we don’t do contracts because we prefer our customers to stick with us because they are happy with our service. We also offer a variety of payment methods for flexibility.
Finding the right dairy supplier takes more than just reading reviews and comparing prices; asking questions and determining if they can provide your business with fresh dairy to fit your needs and schedule is important. If you want to find out more about how we source our dairy as well as our local milk delivery service, then get in touch with our team!
